CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has advised overweight City Hall employees to lose some fat, saying that their bodies reflect their self-discipline and going a notch further by asking them to make an “undertaking” on what weight to maintain.
During the flag ceremony at the City Hall grounds yesterday, Rama observed the bellies of the employees which, according to him, have fattened up.
“Makakita gani ko’g nanagko na inyong mga tiyan, it bothers me. Maong palihug, wa niingog sapsapi nang tiyana. Wala, wala. Please, I’m looking at your bellies. Ang inyong tiyan determines your discipline. I’m not joking. (It) reflects your discipline. Wa na gani kay gana, sige kag kaon,” Rama said.
The mayor said it’s not the first time he noticed employees gaining more weight.
“Trabaho na ta pero butangan sad exercise,” Rama said.
To entice employees, department heads and other officials to shed off some unwanted weight, Rama said the City Hall will launch a contest starting next month similar to the popular reality show “Biggest Loser.”
The winners will then be awarded in next year’s Independence Day.
Rama said they will have an “undertaking” with the employees as to what should be the desired waistline to maintain.
“By December, there will be a parade of beauties, parade of men, and we will have an undertaking. Kitang tanan nagsabot, ang atong waistline mao ra,” Rama said.
Rama said that seven months – from December this year to June next year – is fair enough to achieve the agreed waistline.
He also said he does not want to hear excuses that employees are advised by their doctors not to lose weight, if indeed, overweight.
“We are serious, belly measurement contest,” Rama said.
Rama said that by being fit, employees will also be able to keep up with him and the work that needs to be done for his Singapore-like Cebu City vision.
Rama, however, did not say if there are any consequences for those who will not participate, but he warned “not to test his patience.”
“Be thankful nga naa pay December to look forward kay na re-hire man mo… Be thankful,” he said.
Rama said those who have been given another chance to prove themselves should take time to reflect and thank God for the “new lease on life.”
He was referring to the employees and workers who failed the evaluation but were given another chance by the city government by renewing their contracts for one more quarter.
“Hinuklogi lang sad. Nganong naapil man gyud mo? Nganong naapil mo sa listahan? I am pretty sure, daghan kaayong justifiable… Absences, misrepresentation of punch card, sige’g atubang sa cellphone… Ayaw ninyog kumpyansahe… Swerte lang mo sa pagkakaron… Pero ayaw ninyo i-test ang pasensya sa mayor,” said Rama. – JMD (FREEMAN)