Mayor Rama’s wife steers clear of City Hall re-hiring requests

CEBU, Philippines — The wife of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has stressed that while she is able to help Cebu City residents seeking assistance, she has to beg off from any concerns involving hiring and re-hiring of employees of the City Hall.

The first lady of Cebu City, Malou Rama, was called by Mayor Mike to express her thoughts during the city government’s Family Day celebration. She was a bit hesitant to speak up and opted to stay on the side, but was eventually convinced to talk.

In her message, Malou said she earlier went around to meet the employees together with the mayor, but it was to be more acquainted with the workers and nothing else.

“Nisuroy-suroy ko diha, pero wa na nagpasabot na’y meaning ana ha. Nisuroy lang ko para makig himamat ninyong tanan,” Malou said.

She further thanked all the city officials, councilors and department heads for making the event possible.

But while stressing that they are one family, she also expressed her side on those who felt left out.

“Ako lang hangyo, katong uban sigeg text or mag chat nako nga muhangyo kay wa na renew, malu-oy baya ko, pero unsa-on man nako nga giingnan man kos akong bana nga ‘dili gyud ka mag apil-apil anang renewal, hiring, ug uban pang transaction sa City Hall. Paabot lang gyud ug unsay mando nako’,” Malou disclosed.

She said she follows what her husband says as it would also reflect on the latter.

“Obedient kaayo ko nga asawa, motu-o gyud ko sa akong bana…Kay kon di ko motuo, balik ra pud niya,” she added while saying, she forwards all messages concerning the City Hall to the Mayor, who in turn forwards it to the concerned departments.

“Naa ra gyud ko pirme motabang, pero ayaw pud ko ninyo’g pugsag pa tabang kon dili nako kaya ha, kay basin ang paingon ani, mawagtangan kog bana kay mag apil-apil ko sa City Hall,” Malou said.

On emergency situations, however, Malou said she is willing to help and connect with the concerned officials or personnel as she also knows how it feels to have no one to turn to.

“Naa ra gyud ko kon nay mga emergencies or whatever. Kani man gud, dili pud lalim kon kitang nagkinahanglan nga dili ta atimanon. Samot tang kitang mga pobre. Mo-feel ko ana kay ni-agi ko og ka pobre. So dili lalim nga ikaw usa ka kabus, dili atimanon sa City Hall,” Malou stressed.

She also said she readily calls the attention of Mayor Rama if she gets feedback from people mishandled or are not entertained for some reason.

“Hopefully, kaning tanan…magtinabangay ta, kita, kay usa ka pamilya sa panerbisyo sa katawhan sa syudad sa Sugbo,” said Malou. — (FREEMAN)