Rama to Appoint New CITOM Chair

Former Metro Cebu Water District chairman Ruben Almendras is set to be appointed by Mayor Michael Rama as new chairman of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM).

The mayor said he was so impressed when Almendras, brother of Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, presented his suggestions on how to solve the traffic problem of the city during a meeting with businessmen Monday.

“Dia ra man diay ni kadugay na nako nangita og tawo nga makapuli sa pwesto ni Jack Jakosalem,” the mayor said during his regular news conference Monday.

Jakosalem resigned as chairman of CITOM after he filed his certificate of candidacy in the last May 13 local elections.

The mayor said Almendras readily accepted his offer to become CITOM board chairman, although it was not clear when he will start his job.

Rama instructed City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete to coordinate with Almendras so that he could already issue his appointment as head of the city’s traffic policy-making body.

Aside from the position of CITOM chairman, Rama will also appoint new members of the CITOM Board, particularly the private sector representatives.