Cuevas is new Cebu City treasurer

CEBU City now has a new city treasurer.

Mayor Michael Rama announced yesterday the appointment Diwa Cuevas, the incumbent city accountant as city treasurer in the next six months.

The Aug. 8 appointment letter signed by finance secretary Cesar Purisima said that Cuevas is entitled to two extensions of her appointment should Rama ask for it.

“I would like to thank secretary Purisima and the office of the vice president. I had to call and keep on connecting with them. Now, I am happy that they have taken cognizance of the urgency and exigency of my request to already appoint a new treasurer in Cebu City,” said Rama.

Purisima said that Cuevas will have to assume office immediately as Emma Villarete’s term expired on July 18.

Rama directed city administrator Jose Marie Poblete to visit the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) regional office yesterday to check what else is needed to facilitate Cuevas’ immediate assumption.

The mayor also wanted to discuss with Poblete Cuevas’ replacement for city accountant.

“Everything has to be done step by step. But this is a very bright development in preparation for the Supplemental Budget 2 and the 2014 annual budget,” said Rama.

Rama said he wanted to work with a city treasurer “of my own choosing” in his budget preparations.

Under the Local Government Code, local treasurers are not under the local government unit or the local chief executive. They are technically employees of the BLGF.