Fund shortage may cut services

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama may no longer renew the contracts of all the consultants under his office in the remaining months of the year.

This, as the P5-million appropriation for consultancy services under the Office of the Mayor is now inadequate to pay for all the advisors.

Rama has 33 consultants including Ramon Magsaysay awardee Dr. Romulo Davide, former city councilor Nestor Archival and former Cebu City mayor Florentino Solon, who will only receive one peso a year.

Davide is the mayor’s consultant on agriculture and rural development, Archival on environment and solid waste management, and Solon on nutrition programs.

Hold

The contracts of the 30 consultants, who were receiving P12,000 to P18,000 a month, ended last June and should have been renewed so they will be able to continue their services.

But as of last month, some 60 percent of the appropriation for the consultancy services under the Office of the Mayor has been used up.

It was learned, though, that Ronald Diola, who is the mayor’s consultant on social programs and system, offered his services for one peso a year.

Still, the mayor’s office might exceed some P.5 million from the appropriation at the end of the year if the contracts of all 29 consultants will be renewed.

Rama said he will check on the balance of his appropriation for consultancy services because he intends to renew the contracts of all his consultants.

Assured

As of last week, at least nine consultants of the mayor have been assured to continue their services after the City Council authorized Rama to sign the renewal of their contracts.

These are Rene Gregorio Bautista (People’s Law Enforcement Board and Small and Medium Enterprise Development), Ester Cubero (matters related to local school board projects, procurement activities and scholarship program), Jose Maria Eugenio Elizalde (property organizational review and Police Coordinating Council), Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem (traffic management and Citom Board), Lynn Gloria Madrona (traffic system and Citom development), Librado Macaraya (parks and playground commission), Nicanor Maglasang (senior citizens’ concerns), Rosalinda Quijada (Special Education Fund), and Franklin
Seno (hillyland management board).

Some of the resolutions that will authorize the mayor to renew the contract of services of his consultants are still pending in the City Council.