- BERT BAYORAN
Three Capitol executives are offering their services to the Bacolod City government on “pro bono” basis, similar to what Mayor Alfredo Benitez did when he served as Economic Affairs consultant of the provincial government of Negros Occidental for more than two years.
Benitez has submitted the proposed consultancy agreements between the City Government of Bacolod and Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, as consultant for administrative matters and systems review; Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, as consultant for health and hospital concerns; Lucille Gelvolea, consultant for special projects and economic affairs; and Atty. Valerie Ann Hollero, as consultant for health insurance and healthcare, to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for approval.
Except for Hollero, who used to be the vice president of PhilHealth, the three others work for the provincial government.
Diaz is the provincial administrator, while Maestral is the chief of the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay, and Gelvolea is provincial investment officer.
Diaz said that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson gave his permission for them to render services to the City Government of Bacolod, as requested by Mayor Benitez, on a “pro bono (without payment)” basis.
He stressed that they will only serve as Benitez’s advisers.
“We do not claim to solve everything, but we are there to help 100 percent,” Diaz said. “If he trusts our integrity, capacity and our experience in governance, we cannot question that. It is the wisdom of the mayor whom he will ask for help.”
But Diaz said they want to formalize their intervention in the city, through a formal contract, to avoid misinterpretation.
“If you want to accept our help, we will help, without demeaning anybody,” he added.
Benitez earlier said he sees no conflict in getting their services./GB
Capitol execs offer to help
Bacolod on `pro bono’ basis
Three Capitol executives are offering their services to the Bacolod City government on “pro bono” basis, similar to what Mayor Alfredo Benitez did when he served as Economic Affairs consultant of the provincial government of Negros Occidental for more than two years.
Benitez has submitted the proposed consultancy agreements between the City Government of Bacolod and Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, as consultant for administrative matters and systems review; Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, as consultant for health and hospital concerns; Lucille Gelvolea, consultant for special projects and economic affairs; and Atty. Valerie Ann Hollero, as consultant for health insurance and healthcare, to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for approval.
Except for Hollero, who used to be the vice president of PhilHealth, the three others work for the provincial government.
Diaz is the provincial administrator, while Maestral is the chief of the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay, and Gelvolea is provincial investment officer.
Diaz said that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson gave his permission for them to render services to the City Government of Bacolod, as requested by Mayor Benitez, on a “pro bono (without payment)” basis.
He stressed that they will only serve as Benitez’s advisers.
“We do not claim to solve everything, but we are there to help 100 percent,” Diaz said. “If he trusts our integrity, capacity and our experience in governance, we cannot question that. It is the wisdom of the mayor whom he will ask for help.”
But Diaz said they want to formalize their intervention in the city, through a formal contract, to avoid misinterpretation.
“If you want to accept our help, we will help, without demeaning anybody,” he added.
Benitez earlier said he sees no conflict in getting their services./GB
