- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Only the proposed consultancy agreement between the Bacolod City government and Atty. Valerie Ann Hollero, for health insurance and healthcare, was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod during its session this afternoon, Sept. 14.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the SP Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, said that this is because it is only Hollero who is not a current employee of another local government unit.
Hollero used to be the vice president of PhilHealth in Western Visayas.
The three others are current officials of the provincial government of Negros Occidental, including Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, who is the provincial administrator, Dr. Mary Ann Maestral – chief of the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay, and Lucille Gelvolea, who is the provincial investment officer.
Espino said that in a consultation with the executive department Tuesday, they decided to come up with a memorandum of understanding that would institutionalize the bilateral relations between the highly-urbanized Bacolod and Negros Occidental.
He said the MOU would include other areas of cooperation, and not just limited to the consultancy services initially sought with the three Capitol officials.
The proposed consultancy agreement with Diaz was for administrative matters and systems review, Maestral on health and hospital concerns, and Gelvolea as the supposed consultant for special projects and economic affairs.
Diaz earlier said that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson already gave them permission to render services to the Bacolod City government, as requested by Mayor Alfredo Benitez, on a “pro bono (without payment)” basis./CGC
