For establishment of Mayor’s Office:Labella sisters give nearly P2 million

CEBU, Philippines —  The sisters of Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella have reportedly donated close to P2 million for the establishment of Labella’s office at the ground floor of the city’s executive building.

This according to City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr. as Labella does not want to use public funds to open a new mayor’s office.

Labella said he did not know how much his sisters donated as he had them coordinate with Casas. He only knew it was a significant amount.

“It‘s going to be a modest, simple office. It’s enough for an office of a public servant,” Labella told The Freeman.

Labella said he wanted to hold office at the ground floor so he can be more accessible to the people.

“I just want my feet to be on the ground,” he said.

For now, he holds office at the eighth floor of the executive building adjacent to the office occupied by former mayor Tomas Osmeña.

That office is now the subject of a pending case.

The city government has sued Osmeña for allegedly destroying the mayor’s office by peeling off its tiles and other furnishings.

Osmeña has argued the items he ordered removed from the office were his personal property. He also said that workers would have finished working on the office – and turned the office back to its original state – had they been given the chance to do so on the day the alleged destruction was discovered.

Labella will join the public information office and the protocol office at the ground floor.

Beyond his sisters’ donation, however, Labella has included P4.3 million in the proposed Supplemental Budget 2 to cover several other expenses for the mayor’s office.

Of the P4.3 million, P3 million is intended for motor vehicle outlay; P790,000 is for information and communications technology equipment; P441,525 is for office equipment; and P97,400 is for furniture and fixtures.

Also under the proposed SB-2 is the P583,000 for office equipment and information and communications technology equipment of the Office of the Vice Mayor.

The City Council also proposed P1.7 million for office equipment of 12 councilors; P813,434 for the furniture and fixtures of 11 councilors; and P195,000 and P377,847.30 for other equipment and improvement of the office of Councilor Niña Mabatid, respectively; and P5.9 million for the information and communications technology equipment for all 18 councilors.

The proposed SB-2 will be subject to a budget hearing on Tuesday. —  JMO (FREEMAN)