Talisay CH staff hits the grounds

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government held office in tents at the grounds yesterday while the city engineer and a number of private structural engineers inspected the City Hall building for cracks.

“Good thing we have already asphalted this portion of the parking area, otherwise we would be treading on mud,” said city administrator John Eyre delos Reyes, whose office was put up under a chico tree.

Delos Reyes said three weeks ago the city had asphalted that portion of the city hall grounds to serve as a parking lot-cum-basketball court for employees. 

Delos Reyes and the department heads held office in tents outside the city hall and will continue to do so until the engineers say it is safe to return to the nine-year-old building.

The offices of the vice mayor, city budget officer, and the Human Resource officer, are among the offices that showed cracks on walls, which prompted city engineer Audie Bacasmas to recommend  an inspection of the city hall.

And yesterday city hall doors were padlocked while a team of private engineers including men from the office of the city engineer inspected every nook and cranny of the building.

Portable toilets and hundreds of plastic chairs were offered to residents who have transactions to make. Computers and other equipment by different departments were also brought to the grounds.

Delos Reyes said he liked the setup because of the fresh air.

“Maka-save pud ang syudad sa kuryente kay wa namay nigamit og aircon diri,” he said. 

Mayor Johnny Delos Reyes is, however, holds office at the ground floor of the Hall of Justice, still inside the city hall premises, to give him privacy as he also has other guests with private concerns.  (FREEMAN)