It pains Mike to fire casuals

CEBU, Philippines - Even if it pains him, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama says he is left with no choice but to let go of casual employees who did not support him during the last elections.

The mayor said he has a responsibility to take care of those who stood by him and if he will not be mindful of that responsibility, it will affect the trust of those who supported him.

The mayor said this during his speech in yesterday's celebration of the 112nd birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the City Hall.

A simple ceremony was done near the statue of the national hero.

Rama recalled Rizal's good deeds and also announced the revamp that he will be implementing among City Hall department heads and the continuing evaluation of the performance of 3,298 casual workers.

The mayor earlier announced that the six department heads who walked out of the meeting that called prior to the elections might be affected by the revamp.

Those who walked out were City veterinarian Alice Utlang, City Treasurer Emma Villarete, Personnel Department head Evangeline Abatayo, Internal Control Office head Arlene Rentosa, Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP) head Fidel Magno and City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez.

Bernaldez has resigned from his job while the others are just waiting for the mayor's next move.

 "Do not worry if movement will happen by July 1. You decided to do so, you stand for what you believe. I salute you," Rama said in his speech.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said the team headed by Assistant City Administrator Dominic Diño is still evaluating the performance of the casual workers to determine who among them will be retained.

"Dili sab tingali moabot og 2,500 ka casual ang dili na i-renew. Dili pa mi makahatag og figure pagka-karon kay sige pa ang evaluation," Poblete said.

Rama advised the casual workers not to report on July 1 unless the renewal of their contracts has been processed. — (FREEMAN)