Rama to unveil revamp in City Hall address

WHETHER it’s called an “executive movement” or a revamp, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he will announce  changes in City Hall’s departments in his July 1 State of the City Address (SOCA).

Rama, who arrived from  a conference in Israel last Friday,  said he  will also announce the results of the performance assessments of department heads and casuals.

“I told them (department heads) how I wish I will not but I will be a hypocrite if I will say there will be none,” Rama told Cebu Daily News, referring to changes in the bureaucracy.

All City Hall casuals were asked to reapply for their positions.

The mayor earlier instructed the department heads to prepare their midyear report and present it to media.

He said City Hall employees have nothing to fear if they work hard.

Among those speculated to be replaced is  Cathy Yso, chief of the Department of Social Welfare and Services.

Yso once served as executive secretary of former mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.

Yso, who reportedly had disagreements with the mayor, said she would be ready with whatever decision Rama makes.

“Mayor Michael Rama is my mayor. Whatever directive comes from him, I will follow,” Yso said,

She said she didn’t receive any communication from Mayor Rama about the “executive movement.”

Yso said their midyear report showed that the social welfare office  serviced 34 percent of its  targeted beneficiaries.

Osmeña in an earlier interview said that if Rama moves Yso to other departments, it would only show that the mayor is politicking.

He defended Yso, saying “she was one of my best staffers.”

Strained relations between the two leaders reached  a peak over  Rama’s insistence to continue  clearing out illegal dwellers in the Mahiga Creek.

Rama finally declared on June2 that he was no longer a member of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan and would make his decisions “independent” of Osmeña’s position.

Meanwhile, the mayor said he would support the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor’s (DWUP) recommendation to file a  case against the nongovernment organization (NGO) Pagtambayayong Inc. headed by former city administrator Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez.

The cases stemmed from a complaint by urban poor beneficiaries over the collection of  fees.

The foundation earlier filed administrative charges against Rama and two other officials in relation to the Mahiga Creek demolition.

“We have a responsibility towards our residents. It’s not political reprisal. It’s never been my cup of tea,” Rama said. Correspondent Fatrick Tabada