Ex-treasury chief tapped for parking project

FORMER City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva is back in Cebu City Hall for a new job.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said Oliva will serve as a private partner in preparing for the conversion of of former beer and soft drink warehouses near City Hall into a parking space.

He said he met with Oliva to discuss with her the project that he assigned to her when she was still city treasurer.

“There is a project that she wanted to pursue. I do not see any problem here because if she is no longer connected with the city, she could always pursue the project under Private Public Partnership,” said Rama.

Oliva ended her tenure as Cebu City treasurer last July 15.

Her term was not renewed after Rep. Tomas Osmeña objected to an extension by the Department of Finance.

Oliva wouldn’t say where she would be reassigned after she ends her one-month leave.

Rama earlier asked Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to allow a fourth extension for Oliva in Cebu City but was turned down.

The Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) decides on her LGU assignment.

Mayor Rama, who complained about Osmeña’s interference in the city treasueer’s posting, said he wanted to bring this to the attention of President Benigno Aquino III.

While he was unable to talk with the President, Rama said he managed to have a brief talk with Purisima. “I am not asking him to reconsider (Oliva’s transfer), I just wanted him to know that he did something that is not good for local governance,” said Rama. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac