Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday stood by City Hall’s decision to buy 30 Apple iPad Air for department heads and himself.
He clarified that the tablets came free as part of a P2,000 monthly subscription plan with unlimited Internet access for a two-year lock-in period from Smart Communications.
He apologized for the controversy it has caused, after City Administrator Lucelle Mercado confirmed the purchase of the iconic gadgets to improve efficiency and make City Hall officials more productive.
Rama said usage of the device would be monitored by the IT department of City Hall, the Minagement Information Communications System (Mics) to ensure the iPads are not abused or just used to play computer games.
“Let us not be looking too much at the iPads. Let’s look beyond,” said the mayor.
“I am mindful that this will not be a burde to the people.”
According to the online Apple store, the cheapest iPad Air, which has 16 gigabyte internal memory costs P25,490.
Mayor Rama said “I am sorry” for the outburst of “emotions” over the issue, citing media criticisms over the iPad purchase.
He said he felt it necessary to apologize to Cebuanos for the controversy, even as he assured that money will not be wasted and the gadgets would be used properly.
He said he would recall any iPad that will be subject of a complaint.
Mayor Rama also apologized for the public’s inconvenience over ongoing road rehabilitation in the city. He said they had to take advantage of the summer months.
“The inconvenience now will bring betterment which is substantial,” he said.
“I assure the people of the city that your mayor is a mayor who works 24/7. If the rest are sleeping, your mayor will be awake because he can’t afford to have his constituents in misery,” he said.