Fire dept. wants Codilla transferred to reg'l office

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña may have to give up City Fire Marshal Esmael Codilla.

This after Bureau of Fire Protection chief Rogelio Asignado wrote to Osmeña that the bureau is going to pursue an order issued previously transferring Codilla to the regional office and installing Chief Insp. Rodelio Damaolao as the city's fire marshal.

Asignado, in his letter, explained that Codilla, who holds the rank of a superintendent, is already overqualified to perform the functions of a city fire marshal, a position that requires the qualifications and services of an officer with the rank of chief inspector.

He said that retaining Codilla as the city fire marshal violates provisions of Republic Act No. 9263, otherwise known as "An Act Providing for the Professionalization of the Bureau of BFP and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), which mandates that BFP uniformed personnel must be designated to positions commensurate to their ranks.

Asignado said that non-compliance to the said law would mean compulsory separation from the service of the concerned personnel.

To avoid such sanctions, he said that Bureau Order No. 2005-07, issued last July 8, which reassigns Codilla and several other officers of the BFP-7 who have been "misplaced" in terms of ranks and designations, will be implemented.

The said order, designating Damaolao, who is currently the regional operations officer, as city fire marshal and Codilla as assistant director for operations in the regional office, was earlier recalled in favor of the mayor's request.

The city government led by Osmeña asked for a reconsideration on Codilla's transfer in view of his meritorious performance and in addition to the fact that his being a Cebuano brings good rapport between him and the city officials.

"Considering that CINSP Damaolao is also a native of and resident in barangay Pulangbato, we are equally confident that he would be as committed and dedicated as Supt. Codilla in serving the Cebuanos," Asignado's letter read.

Osmeña has yet to decide on the matter.

When sought for comment, Codilla said he has no idea about Asignado's order but said he would comply with whatever is stipulated there.

"But the thing is that would have been easily resolved if they would have allowed me to hold concurrent position as provincial fire marshal just like in Bohol," Codilla told The FREEMAN in a text message yesterday afternoon.

Codilla's rank as superintendent makes him qualified for the posts of assistant regional director for operations or as BFP provincial director. - Cristina C. Birondo