‘How did Cebu City get award for good housekeeping?’

Critics of the mayor in the Cebu  City Council questioned the basis of the city’s award for  Good Financial Housekeeping in 2014 by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In a privilege speech,  Councilor Noel Wenceslao lauded the Rama administration for meeting the standards set by the DILG on transparency and accountability.

But  Councilor Sisinio Andales, who is with the Bando Osmena-Pundok Kasuwagan,  questioned how the city was awarded  when  adverse opinions of City Halls fiscal management were given by the  Commission on Audit in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

“May I ask who signed this certification? Is it the secretary or undersecretary?” Andales asked.

The certification which Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama  presented in a press conference last week  said “the City of Cebu is a passer of the Good Financial Housekeeping  for calendar year 2014” and was  signed by DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero. (The award was formerly called the Seal of Good Housekeeping)

Councilor Alvin Dizon said he would “like to request the DILG and Undersecretary Austere Panadero to enlighten the council on how the city was awarded a Seal of Good Housekeeping in view of the fact that the city got negative findings from COA.”

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama  in a separate interview, reacted to the barbs.

“Is it only DILG Secretary Mar Roxas who  can sign that? Atong gibayran na? Kadaot nila gud sige sila’g ingon bankrupt ang city pero naa may kwarta (Are they saying we paid for that award?  Their problem is that they keep claiming the  city is bankrupt and yet we have money),” Rama said.

He siad it would be better if his critics just prepare for the 2016 election.

Councilor Wenceslao of Team Rama, in his speech, praised the mayor’s efforts to practice good governance.

“The city proves to be worthy and deserving as a passer of the DILG’s Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping. The mayor has been consistently reminded by his critics in a way that motivates him to perform well in boosting good local governance,” Wenceslao said in his privilege speech.

He congratulated the mayor, the city administrator, treasurer and other department heads “and also the critics for their constant reminders in achieving the seal of good financial housekeeping.

Counilor Andales commented that  credit perhaps should also go to the council.