City Vet Disappointed, cites Rama’s Decision Political

Cebu City Veterinarian Alice Utlang said she was disappointed by Mayor Michael Rama’s decision to relieve her on her position based on political grounds.

Utlang was one of the department heads who refused to give their commitments to help Rama when they were called to a meeting shortly before the May 13 elections.

Utlang, who has been appointed permanent city veterinarian 10 years ago, said she will not insist to hold on her position. She however wanted to be reassigned at the Public Information Office (PIO) so she could help in the dissemination of information about veterinary matters.

The mayor has put Utlang on a floating status. She will be assigned on “special projects” which Rama did not specify.

Aside from Utlang, the mayor also relieved Fidel Magno as head of the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP) and appointed Susan Ardoza as replacement. The mayor has yet to announce Magno’s new assignment.

Rama however has decided to retain Atty. Evangeline Abatayo as head of the Office of the Civil Registrar even if she was among the six department heads who refused to help him in the campaign. Other department heads who will be retained are City Agriculture Julito Baclayon, CENRO head William Artajo, Conrado Ordesta as head of Management Information Computer Services (MICS), Arlie Gesta, assistant head of the Department of Agriculture assigned at the Parks and Playground, Cebu City Medical Center head Stella Ygoña and Randy Navarro, head of the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill.