No renewal of consultancy contract for Gelvolea, Maestral, too

TWO Capitol executives did not renew their contracts for consultancy with the Bacolod City government, too.

Provincial Investment Officer Lucille Gelvolea who served as a consultant of Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez for special projects and economic affairs said she found it unnecessary to have a contract with the city government anymore, though the mayor could still tap her anytime he needs her services.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II also confirmed Tuesday, January 10, that Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, chief of Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, did not also renew her contract as a consultant for health and hospital concerns.

Diaz was the first to announce that he will no longer renew his consultancy contract with Bacolod, but has clarified that his relationship with the mayor "remains strong."

"Anything that he needs from me personally and from the provincial government with the consent of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, we will extend to him," he pointed out.

That is even without a consultancy agreement, he added.

Benitez hired Diaz as a consultant for administrative matters and systems review.

"Our relationship is with the mayor and not with the Bacolod City government," he said.

He said that before he issued a statement about his non-renewal of the contract, he has already talked to Benitez.

"In fact, I received a Christmas gift from him," Diaz added.*