Mike to revamp department heads

CEBU, Philippines - Reelected Mayor Michael Rama announced yesterday that there will be a revamp of department heads in Cebu City Hall on July 1, the start of his second term.

Rama said he needs to do this to make sure that his department heads will not sabotage his administration.

Two weeks before elections, the mayor called his department heads to a meeting and asked them who they would support for mayor.

He also told them that those who cannot support him  may leave.

Six department heads walked out.  They were City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries Chief Alice Utlang, City Treasurer Emma Villarete, Human Resource and Development Office Head Evangeline Abatayo, Department of Manpower Development and Placement Head Fidel Magno and Internal Audit and Service Office Chief Arlene Rentuza.

Rama said he will discuss the reshuffling with his core group.

The performance of each of the department heads will also be thoroughly evaluated to find out who will stay in the posts.

Some of those department heads who walked out during the meeting said they cannot stop the mayor if he will replace them.– (FREEMAN)