Osmeña disappointed of his deputy mayors

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will reassess whether or not his allied councilors will continue to hold executive functions following his disappointment over the delay in the processing of the city government’s assistance to other local government units.

“Let me just follow it up. I’m just disappointed that nothing’s moving,” the mayor said.

Osmeña said he has yet to decide if his allies in the City Council will continue to serve as deputy mayors for particular services. He explained that it might not be necessary considering that they already have the council’s majority.

To recall, Osmeña assigned executive functions to his allies who were previously not given committee chairmanships and memberships by the Team Rama councilors who used to dominate the City Council.

Osmeña said he was disappointed over the delay in giving assistance to the LGUs especially the earthquake-hit areas in Surigao del Norte, Ormoc City, and financial assistance to families of slain soldiers in Bohol clash.

The city already said it will give P2 million to Surigao del Norte, P10.2 million to Ormoc City, P2 million to families of slain soldiers in Bohol.

“I don’t know what’s going on but all the projects are funded, we have not moved on it. And I don’t know why. Our deputy mayors have to do something,” he told reporters.

Osmeña said he would have wanted to personally hand the check for the P500,000 each to the family of four government troops who died in line of duty while fighting the members of Abu Sayyaf Group in Bohol.

Sought for comment, City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, said he has done his part to pass a resolution on the matter.

Tumulak said he can contact the families of the slain government troops anytime as long as the check is ready.

Osmeña said the city should fast track the release of the assistance to local government units.

With this, he said he will talk to his deputy mayors for updates of the assistance to the LGUs that were affected by earthquake.

“We’ll see what happen. I will just ask them (deputy mayors) how come they are not working on it,” the mayor said when asked if he will revoke his order assigning BOPK councilors with executive functions. (FREEMAN)