THE Cebu City Council finally concurred yesterday the appointments of City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete and City Legal Officer Jerone Castillo, but not after the grilling from city councilors.
Councilor Nida Cabrera and Margot Osmeña sought clarification on Poblete’s appointment by Mayor Michael Rama as city administrator and the concurrent head of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO).
“The Civil Service Commission regulation says that only a licensed environmental officer should sit as head of CPDO,” said Cabrera.
Osmeña said she is confused why Poblete is now the concurrent CPDO head when Alipio Bacalso continues to occupy the regular position.
Poblete said his designation by Mayor Rama to head the CPDO about two weeks ago would render Bacalso as his assistant. But he clarified that he will not be getting an additional salary as CPDO head.
Poblete said that as administrator and CPDO head, he is now working on the formulation of development plans for the upland barangays, downtown area, and the South Road Properties (SRP).
Councilor Leah Japson asked Poblete if his work will include overseeing the implementation of the 2006 drainage masterplan, where most of the identified projects and programs have not been implemented to date.
Poblete said he will work for the updating of the drainage masterplan. He also told the City Council that it is inaccurate to say that the drainage masterplan has not been implemented.
Poblete added that the Department of Engineering and Public Works, have implementing projects under the masterplan.
Castillo on the other hand told the City Council that he will be adopting the mediation program of former councilor and now vice mayor Edgar Labella to reduce cases coming from the barangays to be filed in court.
Castillo also briefed the council of the motion for reconsideration which the legal office filed against an order of RTC branch 9 tagging about P130 million of the city’s deposits with the Philippine Postal Bank in relation to the Rallos lot case.