Officiating Officials in Cebu City Olympic Remain Unpaid of Honoraria

The officiating officials of the last Cebu City Olympics are still unpaid of their honoraria, more than one year since rendering their services in the sporting meet.

In Nov. 10, during the press conference for the Cebu City Olympics, a consultant of the local school board of Cebu City promised that the officials will receive their 2014 honoraria on Nov. 13 or after the 2015 Cebu City Olympics.

But it has been more than 10 days since that promised date and more than a week since the 2015 Cebu City Olympics wrapped up, and the officials still have not received their salary for 2014, leading them to think that they are in for another one-year wait for the 2015 honorarium.

“We also need to think about or officiating officials. A lot of them are not doing this for the sheer fun of it. To a lot of them, this is their bread and butter,” said football tournament manager Danilo Ramos.

Two days ago, the school board told officials who made a follow up that the money is now on its way to the bank.

This was finally done after making several changes to the payroll.

“I guess we will just have to wait a few more weeks for it,” said Ramos.

Ramos, who was once more asked to officiate this year, had to take out a loan just so he could pay the officiating for this year’s event.

“I declined to be the football tournament manager this year, but I also want to help out Department of Education Cebu City Sports Coordinator Zenaida Gocotano, so I said yes. However, considering the circumstances, I know that we will never get quality officiating because no one will trust the organizers anymore,” said Ramos.

Loaning money was his answer.

“Before the tournament started, I gave the referees my word that they will get paid right away. And I did. But I can’t answer for the 2014 honoraria. I need competent referees or we will never hear the end of it,” said Ramos. (PNA) CTB/EB/MP/EDS