Rama Prepares City Hall Revamp

Mayor Michael Rama is very busy evaluating the performance of all City Hall department heads so he could decide on who among them will be replaced and who among the city’s 3,298 casual workers will no longer be renewed once their employment contracts expire on June 30.

“Karon busy kaayo ko sa pag-preparar sa revamp sa City Hall (department heads) towards kadtong akong gisulti parte sa mga empleyado unya talking about another very important office within the city government, ako na nga mga priorities,” Rama said.

The mayor already announced the upcoming revamp of his department heads in City Hall, although he did not reveal yet who will be affected of the revamp, will be implemented during the first few days when he assumes another three-year term of office.

Days before the May 13 elections, Rama had called a meeting with all City Hall department heads where he told them that those who cannot work and “help him” may walk out of the office.

City Veterinarian Alice Utlang asked the mayor to clarify on what he meant by saying he want the department heads to help him and this was the time that Rama reportedly said “kinsa to’ng makatabang nako politically, pabilin, kadtong dili ayaw paabota nga ako ang mopagawas ninyo kay kaila baya ko sa inyo.”

Rama then entered to his private room, which is still inside his office and when he went back five minutes later, the mayor found out that some of his department heads already walked out.

They are City Treasurer Emma Villarete, Personnel chief Evangeline Abatayo, Internal Control Office head Arlene Rentosa, Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP) head Fidel Magno, City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez and Utlang.

Bernaldez had already resigned from his position, while Utlang said there is no problem if the mayor will replace her as the city veterinarian.

While there is a team of mayor’s trusted aides tasked to evaluate the performance of the casual workers then make recommendations to the mayor of who among the casuals will be retained to their jobs,  Rama still has the final say.

A member of the evaluating team who spoke on conditions of anonymity, explained that even if they will recommend that a casual worker will not be renewed because of some reasons, the mayor may not approve it.

“Anaa ra g’yud na sa mayor kay kadaghan na man kana mahitabo sa una nga wala tumana sa mayor ang rekomendasyon nga dili na renyohan ang pipila ka kaswal,” he explained.

In his Memorandum Order issued last June 11, Rama said “You are further advised that you are required to report on July 1, only if a renewal of your casual appointment shall have been processed.”

The mayor repeatedly said that he does not want to work together with persons who are supporters of his political opponents, corrupt and lazy employees, particularly those who engage in intrigues among their fellow workers.