CEBU, Philippines — A month before a new administration will take the helm at the Cebu City Hall, an office chief has resigned from his post.
Joeling Lazarte, head of the city’s Barangay Affairs Office, tendered his resignation effective today, May 31.
Lazarte’s resignation letter was received by lawyer Mario Calvo, chief of the city’s Human Resource Development Office.
“With the change of administration, there will be changes in the heads of the departments usually,” Calvo said.
He said only a few City Hall department chiefs are holding a plantilla position as head of office.
Lazarte assumed the post in 2016 when outgoing Mayor Tomas Osmeña took over City Hall.
Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, who defeated Osmeña in this year’s midterm elections, will assume office noontime of June 30.
With the impending change of leadership at City Hall, there are talks about massive termination of workers.
Labella said a committee will be formed to evaluate and review the performance of over 6,000 City Hall workers.
The committee will be composed of incoming city administrator Atty. Floro Casas Jr., incoming chief of staff Atty. Mary Rose Salvatierra-Lubino, and incoming city attorney Rey Gealon.
Calvo welcomed the plan of Labella for a performance evaluation.
“That’s the discretion of the incoming administration to check the performance of the employees and I believe that’s their discretion,” he said.
The city has 1,118 regular employees, 3,063 casual employees and 2,462 job order workers.
For the 3,063 casual employees, Calvo said, the incoming administration has the discretion to renew their contracts which will end by June 30. — KBQ (FREEMAN)