New city fire marshal pushed

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday formally endorsed Supt. Aderson Comar as the next fire marshal.

Rama, in his letter addressed to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo, said he wants Comar to be the next fire marshal saying that he is qualified for the position.

"I have interviewed Fire Supt. Aderson Comar and found him to be qualified to become Chief Fire Marshal of the Cebu City Fire Department," Rama said in his letter addressed to Robredo dated last Wednesday.

Rama also requested Robredo to release Comar from his present assignment at the national headquarters as chief of operations.

Current city fire marshal Esmael Codilla welcomed the endorsement of Comar to be the next city fire chief.

"He is fine officer and a gentleman," Codilla said.

Codilla said he is willing to leave his post anytime the higher headquarters of the Bureau of Fire Protection orders him to considering that he has been in his post for eight years.

Codilla, who holds the rank of superintendent, said that his promotion was put on hold because he opted to stay in his present position. 

Codilla is currently taking senior executive training course.

While the term of a fire chief does not have a limit, Codilla admitted that he has been marshal for eight years now since he was appointed by former mayor Tomas Osmeña in December 2002. (FREEMAN)