Monday, June 11, 2007 City Hall revamp still on the drawing board By Grace L. Plata
THE re-engineering process of the local government is still at its planning stage thus there is no reason for City Hall employees to fear for their jobs, says Davao City Administrator Wendel Avisado.
This in reaction to talks of unrest in City Hall after the technical working group for the project came up with the proposed changes.
Adding to that, City Legal Officer J. Melchor Quitain made a position paper opposing the reorganization.
The reorganization will see the merging of departments that have similar functions, creating new ones that are needed, and dissolving existing departments that are no longer relevant.
The local government will also enhance the capabilities of its personnel through seminars and other educational opportunities like the one that the Human Resource Development Office attended last year, which was funded by AusAid.
Avisado said they will hire those who are competent in information and communication technology.
According to Avisado, this has been long planned by the mayor so affairs of the city will be put in a better order and perspective that will benefit the people.
“This is a matter that is supposed to be shared at the level of the department heads who will each propose guidelines that will be marked as take-off point for the oversight committee which is in charge of the whole process,” Avisado said.
He added that the move for the reorganization was not the brainchild of City Hall, but a request through a resolution by the City Council in 2003.
“The proposed changes are subject for opposition. The comments of department heads, such as that of Atty. Quitain, will always be noted and elevated to the level of the oversight committee,” Avisado said.
However, Avisado said the present opposition has preempted the role of the oversight committee.
“The technical working group has just submitted a proposal. These presumptions will be guidelines for discussion and not final in any way so nobody will go out of job,” Avisado said.
