PB set to discuss P1.3B Capitol resource center today

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Board is set to continue the discussion today on the controversial resolution seeking to grant authority to Governor Hilario Davide III to enter into a contract with the winner bidder for the construction of the P1.3-billion Capitol Resource Center project.

The controversial measure was left unresolved after the board failed to muster a quorum during a special session before they went on Christmas break last year.

Davide said he has no idea how the session will turnout today. Based on the agenda, Davide wrote a letter to the PB about the P1.3 billion project.

To recall, the matter was laid on the table after the controversial 8-6-3 voting in December.

Starting this month, the provincial government implemented some measures including the non-renewal of 17 job order (JO) employees who worked as staff of the PB members. Among the PB members affected were those who voted against giving Davide the authority.

The governor explained that the legislative members are only given a maximum of 11 staff. He added that it is ‘common sense’ not to renew the contract of some JOs as they may be used to campaign.

“Ang-ang naman ug this people will work for me, adto gyud na sa ilang gidapigan. It’s just common sense ba. Mo-sweldo ang Kapitolyo ining mga JO nila nga dili gani sympathetic and will not be working for us but for them, the other side. Sila mismo they know this fact. Kahibalo ni sila niini,” he said.

The months of January and July are the seasons when contracts of casual and JO employees are reviewed for renewal. Davide admitted that until now the renewal process is still ongoing.

“Kanang JO klaro man na sa ilang terms of commission sa ilang pag-engage nato. Wa man na silay security of tenure. They can be removed anytime,” he said. (FREEMAN)