Soc hires 3 former dads

CEBU, Philippines – As promised, Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez has hired three former councilors as consultants.

Fernandez has appointed Arturo Bas, former committee chairman on budget and appropriation and the now defunct Traffic Commission, as the city's first public information officer (PIO).

The old municipal trial court in cities office at the ground floor of the city hall has been converted into an office for Bas.

Earlier, Fernandez assured administration bets and last term councilors of consultancy jobs for them to continue serving the city. 

A consultant at the city hall is paid around P20,000 a month.

Bas was city councilor for three consecutive terms from 2001-2010. His fellow administration councilors, Ben Abatayo and Ronnie Capala, have also been designated as consultants for traffic and slaughterhouse operations, respectively.

Abatayo, who also served for three terms as councilor, was vice chairman of the traffic commission while Capala, who was unsuccessful in his re-election bid last May 10, chaired the council committee on public market and slaughterhouse operations.

Capala and Association of Barangay Councils President Osmundo Manreal Jr. were the only administration candidates who lost in the race for councilor.

Manreal, who is on his last term as barangay chief in Pooc, will however stay in the council for another three months before the next barangay election slated this October.

Bas' appointment, along with those of legal officer Owen Algoso and city administrator Richel Bacaltos, is expected to be concurred in today's regular session of the council as required by RA 8979 or the Local Government Code. (THE FREEMAN)