Sorry for budget rant: DPS chief to council

Thursday, February 9, 2012

THE Cebu City Council got an apology from the Department of Public Services (DPS) Chief Dionisio Gualiza for making statements that irked the Council.

The engineer denied statements he reportedly made in a press conference late last month, particularly on the P20-million budget for the rehabilitation of the sewage treatment plant that the Council slashed from DPS’ budget.

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The recommendation that the plant doesn't have to be prioritized because of a similar project by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District reportedly prompted the budget cut.

Reporters of the local dailies, though, stood by their articles, based on the press briefing with DPS.

“I will say sorry, ma'am,” said Gualiza who was explaining himself behind a podium facing the members of the Council.

“You don't have to say sorry...,” said Councilor Margarita Osmeña who was interrupted by Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, saying, “He has to say sorry kay nadaut man mi.

Naliwat ka sa imong mayor nga sige lang panghunaw, sige kuno'g ka misquoted (because we were maligned. You are like your mayor who is always denying, always saying he was misquoted).”

‘Irresponsible’

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, though, said that Young made an irresponsible statement without even mentioning specifics, “Mura man sila'g walay buot (They seem to be ill-mannered).”

Young said the executive is orchestrating a press conference for department heads to air their gripes against the budget the Council slashed from Rama’s P11.8-billion proposal to just P5.2 billion, considering the available funds that the local finance committee was able to defend.

The press briefings were based on a memorandum sent to all department heads.

The Public Information Office has been organizing press briefings since last year for each department to report on their accomplishments for half of the year.

Complaints

In the press briefing organized last January on the accomplishment of each department for the second half of 2011, most departments complained of the budget cut. Among them were the Department of Manpower Development and Placement, City Health Department and DPS.

DPS proposed P321.7 million but only P199.7 million was approved.

“The P5.2 billion is still the biggest budget ever but you are still complaining,” said Osmeña, who pointed out that based on past spending, DPS was only able to use 60 percent of their operational budget for the year.

Councilor Richard Osmeña also delved into overpriced spare parts that DPS is allegedly involved in through an employee, but the other members of the Council thought it more prudent to tackle the matter some other time.

Gualiza admitted he encountered documentary problems in office transactions when two of his men had a fight, but he was able to settle the problem and it was just miscommunication. A grievance committee, though, has been formed to recommend possible sanctions.

‘Parked at home’

The councilor also received reports that the rented dump trucks used for hauling garbage are parked at the contractor’s home without proper monitoring of the fuel use.

Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr., though, said the trucks are parked at the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill.

There were many questions raised in the Council that Councilor Rama answered for Gualiza, which prompted Young to ask the DPS chief, “Do you know about DPS? Why is Councilor Rama answering for you?”

At one point, Young had to tell Councilor Rama to let Gualiza answer first before he makes his own statement. Councilor Rama is the chairperson of the committee on public services.

Gualiza also said that while DPS can only fix “minor” problems for heavy equipment of the barangays, he would still need P14 million to be able to have two motor pools for the north and south districts. If possible, he would ask for this in a supplemental budget.