Simple, transparent gov’s office for Davide

DON’T expect portraits and photos of Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III hanging in the governor’s office, which will be refurbished to reflect his simple taste.

Instead, it will have glass panel walls to make activities inside visible and feature donated furniture made by Cebuano craftsmen, said his wife Jobella.

Jobella, Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino and an architect visited the Governor’s Office yesterday to check on its interiors, after the previous occupant moved out before the June 30 turnover.

“We would like the furniture in this room to showcase Cebuano products but we don’t want the Capitol to purchase them,” Jobella said.

She said the new setup will embody the values of simplicity and transparency espoused by her husband.

She said only a photo of President Benigno Aquino III will be hung in one corner of the office.

She said the office will also have a receiving area for guests such as “barangay officials who come from far-flung areas of the province.”

“They should be able to sit down, especially the barangay captains who want to see the governor,” she said.

Davide’s predecessor, now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district, had export-quality office furniture of heavy wood and religious images of the Sto. Niño, the Virgin Mary and San Pedro Calungsod placed on a side table.

Many framed paintings of Garcia’s smiling image adorned the walls of the receiving area, the main office and a conference room with gold drapes hung in its windows.

These, as well as plaques which Garcia received from organizations that acknowledged her service during her nine-year term as governor, were pulled out by Garcia’s staff before June 30.

“It will take more than two weeks for the possible renovations. We might do some repainting but we will retain most of the design. The chandeliers will remain,” she said.

Davide is temporarily holding office nearby in the former Capitol session hall which was used to receive dignitaries and guests on the second floor.

The large room is divided into two by a huge screen. The executive staff receives guests at one side while Davide occupies the other. A Capitol security guard is also posted at its entrance. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos