Guardo to get sports, infra portfolios after suspension

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña vowed to give executive functions to suspended Councilor Jerry Guardo, who recently pledged allegiance to Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

This came after Guardo asked the mayor to give him the sports and infrastructure portfolios of the city.

“Yes, it’s doable.  He can say what he wants, but it doesn’t mean he can approve everything,” Osmeña told reporters yesterday.

As soon as Guardo assumes office after serving his three-month suspension, the executive function will automatically be effective.

In a phone interview, Guardo said he was thankful of this development.

“Of course nalipay ko sa trust ni Mayor. The trust and confidence to handle the matter, it's my passion to serve man gud specifically sa kini nga butang,” he said.

With this, he wants to work on the road concreting and drainage system of the city knowing that this problem is so visible.

Last Wednesday, Guardo divulged that he started meeting up Engineer Josefa Ylanan, who heads the Office of the Building Official, to know the unimplemented infrastructure projects of the city as well as the accumulated budget.

After Guardo had jump shipped to BOPK, Osmeña had supported Guardo’s every move.

In fact, Sambag I Barangay Mayor’s Office Head Ailien Guardo, who is Jerry’s wife, just received an ambulance from the city, while her office’s service vehicle is expected to be turned over next week.

On March 27, Jerry officially left Team Rama after he felt that his party mate (referring to Sambag I village chief Lemar Alcover) betrayed him.

Jerry was suspended over his failure to submit the barangay’s year-end financial statement to the Commission on Audit during his stint as barangay captain.

This stemmed from an alleged irregular procurement of a dental chair.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government served his three-month suspension last March 15.

Osmeña had asked Jerry to help him on how to execute the fire prevention program of the city, while the councilor is serving his suspension.

“We are going to organize it.  We are just asking him to be our resource speaker.  He will explain it to us.  He has done this to his barangay (Sambag I) before,” Osmeña said.

This new program of the city provides fire extinguishers to every cluster in the barangays and is aimed at educating them on disaster preparedness.

This will be first implemented in the urban areas.

Guardo could not yet give the specific date as to when they will launch the program. (FREEMAN)