Talisay wants PCUP coordinator replaced

CEBU, Philippines - After the Talisay City Council has passed a resolution requesting the national office of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) to replace its area coordinator, Maria Llura Layon has remained in her post until she receives notice from their head office.

The resolution was passed by the council last November 8, citing loss of trust and confidence in Layon, after it was found out that Layon had illegally used the commission's funds.

 "It's not an allegation. During the meeting, iya gyud nang gidawat, giangkon nga nakagamit gyud siya sa kwarta sa federas-yon. Dili gyud na siya pwede isip nag-handle  sa sensitive nga posisyon diha sa atong national agency which is PCUP, no-no gyud. Usa  pa, wala na'y approval diha sa board. Aside pa ana the trust and confidence gyud kay we want cleansing sa local housing office," said Councilor Doroteo Emit, chair of the Council Committee on Urban Poor.

Aside from the complaints they received, the council has also been mandated by Vice Mayor Alan Bucao to conduct a thorough "cleansing" of members in the local housing office.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Socrates Fernandez, was approved by the council last November 8, 2016.

On her part, Layon denied all the allegations against her, saying that what she did was in line with her functions as PCUP area coordinator for Talisay City.

She said her function is to provide a direct link between the urban poor and the city government, and accredit organization's programs of the national government and non-government organizations for speedy implementation.

He said her work is also to monitor operations and to make sure that there is close coordination between the local government and PCUP in the campaign to alleviate urban poverty.

Layon was assigned to Talisay in 1995 and has been serving the city for 22 years.

She added that she was upset with the council's act of approving a resolution without giving her a chance to answer the allegations.

"Natingala ko kay kung tinuod nga naa ko'y kasaypanan nga nahimo nganong wala man gipatawag ang atong attention aron makahibaw ta unsa nga complaint, asa na ug ngano para madungog atong side. Unfair kay nihimo og resolution without hearing my side," she said.

Emit confirmed that Layon was not called before the council to hear her side before the resolution was passed.

Layon added that she is willing to answer all allegations.

She also said that she is waiting for the order of PCUP main office regarding its final decision in response to the resolution.

Mayor Eduardo Gullas assured that he will not be a hindrance to the decision of the council to replace Layon but added that he will read the resolution first and talk to Fernandez and Bucao first before calling the attention of Layon. (FREEMAN)