FIVE Bacolod City councilors who are politically associated with the Monico Novero-Palermo (Monopal) team are supporting the re-appointment of Dr. Rogelio Balo as city administrator.
Councilor Elmer Sy, City Council committee chair on human resource, said his group, which includes Councilors Archie Baribar, El Cid Familiaran, Catalino Alisbo and Sonya Verdeflor, favors Dr. Balo to sit as the city administrator over former councilor Greg Gasataya, who is the choice of the Grupo Progresso led by Councilors Homer Bais, Al Victor Espino and several others.
The council did not give its concurrence yet to the re-appointment of Dr. Balo as this matter was subjected to a heated debate during the City Council regular session held Wednesday.
Balo has the endorsement of Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia.
Based on the qualifications of Dr. Balo, Councilor Sy stated that Balo is super qualified for the position.
Balo is a graduate of Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management at the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City; a graduate of Master in Business Administration (MBA), USLS; graduate of BS Industrial Engineering, Adamson University, Manila; and graduate of BS in Mechanical Engineering, FEATI University, Manila.
He passed the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Board Examination under the Professional Regulation Commission. He is a registered Professional Engineer and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, USA, as well as a lifetime member of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers PSME, Philippines.
He garnered countless honors and awards in line with his fields of profession. The significant activities that he had in the City Government of Bacolod include his formulation of the strategic Management Plan for Bacolod City (2004-2010).
He is also a team leader of the Planning, Monitoring of the implementation of SMP specifically the flagship projects.
Balo also formulated the 2004-2010 Executive Agenda for Bacolod City. He represented the city in regional and national competitions where the city garnered awards, particularly as Most Highly Competitive City in the Philippines - 2005; Most Business Friendly City in the Visayas - 2006 (Regional Award); Most Business Friendly City in the Visayas - 2007 (Regional Award); Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines - 2007 (National Award); Excellence in Economic Development DILG Excell Region 6 (2008-2009); The "Next Wave Cities" in the Philippines, E-Services Conference 2008-2009; Best Compliance for Government Mandated Plans awarded by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in collaboration with USAid (2010), and Recognition for Bacolod City as the "New Growth Center" in the Philippines.
On the other hand, former Councilor Gasataya finished his elementary education as first honorable mention at West Negros University. He graduated valedictorian at Maranatha Christian High School. He finished his AB Political Science at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City in 1998 and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts in 2009.
He started as a broadcaster of Bombo Radyo Philippines Bacolod and shifted his career to public service after he won as councilor in the city. In June 30, 2010, he finished his three terms (nine years) as councilor of Bacolod. Now he's back to private life.
His former colleagues in the City Council, the "Voltes 5", are backing him to be the City Administrator but Mayor Leonardia has decided to pick Dr. Balo for the post.
The council is yet to concur on Balo's appointment. (Carla N. Canet)