Two dep’t heads retained, others transferred in City Hall revamp

TWO of six department heads who walked out of a meeting called by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama before the May elections to solicit their support, will be retained for now.

Evangeline Abatayo will remain as City Civil Registrar while Acting City Treasurer Emma Villarete will continue to occupy her post until the July 16 lapse of her six-month appointment by the Department of Finance.

“We will have to work out her (Villarete’s) replacement. Depends on whatever will be the situation between now and July 17. Whatever will be the requirement (for the appointment of a new city treasurer) I will be guided by that,” Rama said.

Rama met with a core group he created to oversee the movement of City Hall department heads and the renewal of casual employees at the Casino Español after lunch time yesterday to finalize their list.

Rama said he’s still reviewing the list of casual employees who will be given fresh contracts starting July 1.

Both casuals and department heads will be issued contracts from two to six months.

Another department head, Fidel Magno, was moved out of the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP) to the City Resource Management and Development Center (Cremdec) located in the mountains barangay of Taptap.

Catherine Yso, executive director of the City Risk Reduction Management Council, was reassigned to the Operation Second Chance facility in the mountain barangay of Kalunasan.

Rama said he granted Dr. Alice Utlang’s wish to be transferred to the City Agriculture Office from the Department of Veterinary Medicines and Fisheries (DVMF).

Magno and Yso were perceived to be allies of outgoing Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district. Magno and Utlang also walked out of the meeting called by Rama after expressing their desire not to be involved in partisan politics. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac