- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Two former Bacolod councilors and a Negros Occidental board member, as well as several doctors, are among numerous professionals engaged by the city government to render socio-economic, social, traffic and transportation, human resource development, and medical services until the end of this year.
Former councilors Bart Orola Sr. and Sonya Verdeflor, and BM Patrick Lacson, who ran under the Team Asenso slate of Mayor Alfredo Benitez in last year’s midterm elections, will be paid P50,000 each per month, starting July 1 until Dec. 31, 2023, as per the contracts of service endorsed by the mayor to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and received July 18.
The SP, in its regular session July 19, authorized Benitez to sign these contracts, with City Budget Officer Maria Imelda Williams certifying that “there is an available fund (under) the Other Professional Services Account of the City Mayor’s Office intended for the contracts of service” of Orola, Verdeflor, and Lacson, as well as that of Emmylou Iman, Lizel De Las Alas, and Maria Louie Jomero.
Orola will provide management services on socio-economic and development; Verdeflor will advise the mayor on social services, with emphasis on women, children, the youth and family and related concerns; and Lacson on matters related to traffic and transportation.
Iman, who will be paid a monthly rate of P80,000, provides management advisory services to the mayor on the “reorganizational, reengineering, redesigning, and refocusing of human resource structure” and development of city employees.
Iman’s contract of service started June 1 until Aug. 31 this year, the same with De Las Alas, who will be paid P40,000 a month; and Jomero, P50,000. The two also render management services on HR and manpower complement.
Benitez has repeatedly stressed the importance of employee development and going the extra mile in serving the public. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to change behavior and the culture of governance in Bacolod City. Bag-ohon naton ang work culture sa Bacolod Government Center. We will enforce discipline, and promote good work ethics, and flexibility. I ask everyone to join me and go beyond the call of duty, to go the extra mile. This is what public service demands.”
Meanwhile, the city also engaged the services of Dr. Eriberto Layda as clinical pathologist for the Bacolod City Health Office until Dec. 31; Drs. Julienne Alavaren and Jessica de Dios as medical officers at the City Lying-in Clinic and Birthing Home Center of CHO from June 1 to Aug. 31; and 12 other doctors, whose contracts of service will be from July 1 to end of this year./CGC
