1st day blues: Mar climbs 10 stories, orders probe

MANILA, Philippines - Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas II yesterday ordered a review of the contract between the DILG and the owner of the building it is renting after he was forced to take the stairs going to the 10th floor on his first day in office.

Roxas threatened not to pay the rent for the building unless the elevators at the 10-story building fixed.

He was warmly welcomed by DILG employees during the flag-raising ceremony at the 8th floor of the Francisco Gold Condominium at the corner of EDSA and Mapagmahal street in Quezon City.

Roxas vowed to continue all the programs initiated by his predecessor, the late DILG secretary Jesse Robredo.

He said he would try to improve the delivery of public service, which should start at the DILG main office.

“You (DILG employees) had to endure taking the stairs and the elevators. You are supposed to come to work at ease. You are supposed to come to work at most five minutes waiting for the elevators, not for an hour,” he said.

Roxas ordered the DILG administrative unit to look into the contract with the building owner.

A check by The STAR showed the DILG is paying P4.1 million, including value added tax, in rent for one month.

Isidro Jacinto of the DILG General Services Division said the DILG is set to transfer to a bigger building along EDSA near Quezon Avenue.

Roxas said he would not issue 10 commandments for the DILG employees on his first day but instructed them to give inputs on how to further improve the services of the department to the people.

He also encouraged them to feel free to approach him and tell him their suggestions and concerns.

Roxas admitted that he has no personal experience in local governance but said he is a student wiling to learn.