Sunday, February 10, 2008
Seminar on good service closes agency for a day
AN entire regional office of a government agency was closed last Friday, a working day, because all its personnel, from director down to janitor, attended a seminar.
It was like a holiday at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 regional office at the North Reclamation Area, Cebu City as all personnel were at the Sacred Heart Center for the seminar.
As a result, transport operators from Cebu Province, Bohol, Siquijor and Oriental Negros who went to the office to transact business ended up wasting their time.
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, chairman of the city’s committee on transportation, said he will start an investigation why the entire office was closed and if there was legal basis for it.
LTFRB 7 Director Romulo Bernaldez left a “Notice to the Public” to explain why he ordered the closure of the regional office last Feb. 8.
“Please be informed that on Feb. 8, 2008 (Friday), there will be no transaction due to 5’S Quality Seminar and Planning Workshop of LTFRB Region 7 personnel. Regular transaction will resume on Feb. 11, 2008 (Monday). For your information and guidance,” Bernaldez’s notice read.
Bernaldez assumed office recently after he was appointed by President Arroyo to the position.
LTFRB 7 administrative officer Ma. Teresa Plaza told Sun.Star Cebu that they needed the seminar to improve public service.
But lawyer Anthony Javelosa of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) legal division said it is ironic that they want to improve public service but have to stop serving the public as a result.
Javelosa said LFTRB 7 officials could have held that seminar on a Saturday, or they could have left a skeletal force.
LTFRB officials can be investigated by the Civil Service Commission if there are complaints, he added.
“Because Friday is a working day, the LTFRB regional office is presumed to be open to serve the public. A seminar is not an excuse because they can assign a skeletal force to attend to the public’s needs,” Jakosalem said.
Richard Cabucos, chairman of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association, said it was the first time he could recall a government office getting closed in Cebu when it appeared there was no valid reason or authority to do so. (EOB)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 10, 2008 issue)
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