Rama yanks out two department heads

Two department heads of Cebu City Hall were replaced by their assistants and will be reassigned to still undetermined posts starting July 1.

Dr. Alice Utlang, head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) will be replaced by her assistant department head Dr. Pilar Romero, who will function as the officer in charge of the city veterinary office.

Fidel Magno, head of the Department for Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP), will be replaced by his assistant Susan Ardosa.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama made the announcement in yesterday’s press conference.

“They will not be placed on a floating status. They will be given reassignments,” he said.

Rama said that more announcements will be made before the end of the week on the reassignment of city hall department heads.

Utlang and Magno were among the six department heads who walked out of a meeting which Rama called last month to solicit support for his re-election bid.

Others who walked out of the meeting were outgoing City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez, City Treasurer Emma Villarete, City Civil Registrar Evangeline Abatayo and Internal Control Office head Arlene Rentusa.

Before he announced the replacement of some department heads, Rama asked the six to instead resign from government service. Utlang and Magno said they were not resigning.

Both also welcomed their replacements, saying they left the mayor’s meeting because they don’t want to be involved in partisan politics.

Rama said he wanted the movement of department heads to be complete before he gathers all of them to a meeting this Saturday, a day before he takes his oath of office.

He said he will explain to them the direction of his administration in the next three years and to prepare the drafting of the city’s Executive Legislative Agenda (ELA).

The mayor also wanted his department heads to prepare for a media presentation of their programs.

The HRMO is finalizing the list of casuals whose contracts will be extended to three to six months contract. /Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters