RELIEVED Bacolod City College (BCC) Administrator Johanna Bayoneta reported for work at the Office of the City Administrator at the People's House yesterday upon receipt of the memorandum order for her transfer.
Mayor Monico Puentevella ordered her transfer effective November 10, and named Teresa Villanueva as acting BCC administrator.
Bayoneta was at the City Administrator's Office yesterday awaiting the official directive from Acting City Administrator Jerome Solinap for her official designation and assignment.
Before she was relieved from her post, Bayoneta said that she was on a month-long sick leave for a surgery.
She has not yet raised questions regarding her transfer saying, “the important thing here is first, I have to comply.”
“We will come to that later, to find out the reasons for (my) transfer because I am also clueless about it. I am here to find out what are my functions here and how important is the role that I will be serving in this new office. I don't know if I will be given the assignment, but the important thing is I have followed the order," Bayoneta said.
She added that she is also clueless about the reported rift between her and the BCC Board of Trustees (BOT), but she considers it as “normal dynamics.”
“There are normal differences in an organization. Too much independence is also bad for the organization. It is just a matter of school governance. The function of the Board is very significant in the achievement and progress of a state college which serves the people of Bacolod and outside of Bacolod. If we have differences, it is part of a dynamic process inside the Board," Bayoneta said.
On reports that her transfer is politically-motivated, she said that BCC is apolitical.
"We never engaged in politicking. I cannot react on things (since) I was not around during those times,” Bayoneta said.
Puentevella had earlier said that the BOT has been “after Bayoneta’s neck” for years.
It was also reported that Bayoneta was axed because of the presence of a group of BCC students during the filing of the certificates of candidacy of Grupo Progreso which fielded BCC alumni association president Israel Salanga as one of its candidates for councilor.
Grupo Progreso is the rival party of the mayor’s MKK Partido Bacolod.
Earlier, Solinap said that he will designate Bayoneta as assistant city administrator as he believes in her qualifications.
Solinap said that he has worked with Bayoneta before, particularly during the administration of former Mayor Oscar Verdeflor.
He added that Bayoneta will be very helpful in assisting him, citing her knowledge, ability, and skills in public management and administration. (CNC)