Agnes to open guv’s office soon

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Governor Agnes Magpale is determined to open the Office of the Governor before the expected return of suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on June 19.

Magpale said that she has yet to communicate with governor-elect Hilario Davide III who visited Capitol before having his after-election vacation.

“I really wish we could have that (office) ready kay daghan pa baya buhaton,” Magpale told reporters yesterday.

The Office of the Governor has been closed since January 30 this year when Garcia left for an out of town trip after staying in her office for over a month since her suspension was served on December 19, 2012.

Magpale said the water and electrical system still have to be checked since these were not used since January 30.

But everything is put on hold until they hear from Davide who is expected to visit Capitol tomorrow.

She said that they will inform Garcia’s party and ask for a representative to witness the conduct of inventory at the Governor’s Office.

Meanwhile, Magpale is willing to relinquish her post if Garcia  returns to office for 11 days prior to the expiration of her term as governor on June 30.

Magpale said Garcia will take over all the official functions such as signing of checks and vouchers for 11 days.

If this happens, Garcia will be the one to turnover to Davide the documents required by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The DILG ordered incumbent local chief executives to create a Local Governance Transition Team to prepare for an effective turnover to the incoming officials on June 30.

The team shall perform the conduct of an inventory of all real, immovable and movable properties of the local government unit; assemble all pertinent documents or records; turn-over of accountabilities; and organize a turn-over ceremony, to include a briefing on state of performance, of development, financial performance and key challenges. — (FREEMAN)