Another dept head ready to go; 2,000 employees may face axe

CEBU City’s chief veterinarian is ready to move out if the reelected mayor relieves her from her post.

“It’s okay if I’m transferred, but I will not resign,” said Dr. Alice Utlang, head of the Department for Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF).

She was one of six City Hall managers who openly disapproved of the loyalty check made by Mayor Michael Rama who asked department heads at the height of the election campaign whether they would support his reelection.

Outgoing Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said “political vindictiveness” may leave about 2,000 casual and job order workers in City Hall jobless.

“He (Rama) is bent on doing that but I think this will create a problem in the Rama administration,” Young said.

If this happens, Young warned that productivity would suffer because it takes at least six months for new workers to get familiar with their work.

City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez already tendered his resignation last May 15, a day after Rama was proclaimed winner of the mayoralty race.

He went on leave before Rama could act on his resignation.

Bernaldez holds a co-terminus position unlike Utlang who is a regular city government employee.

Under Civil Service Commission rules, she cant be demoted, said Utlang. All the mayor can do is transfer her to another department.

“If I’m given the choice, I’d like to work in the City Agriculture Office because that’s relevant to my work,” said Utlang who has been DVMF head since 2004./ Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac