A strong-willed lady for a tough job

Part 1

Raquel Arce is a mother of five and a grandmother of three kids. She loves to just stay at home and do Facebook with her kids.
As Cebu City market administrator, she is known for her strong will and determination.
As head of the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe), she leads an all-male demolition team. But she does not feel a bit intimidated.
Not even the threats that she has been getting will stop her from doing her job.
How long have you been with the Cebu City Government?
Since 1988.

What was your first job at City Hall?
Administrative aide of the office of the assistant city administrator.

How did you end up with Probe?
I rose from the ranks. From administrative aide, I became administrative assistant, then executive assistant still under the office of the assistant city administrator. After that, for security of tenure, I applied for regular position. So I became clerk 3. In terms of salary, I was demoted but it was for security of tenure because at that time I was about to get married.
From clerk 3, there was an opening in the City Treasurer’s Office, so I was transferred there as Local Revenue Collection Officer 1. My work was market collector. I handled Pardo Public Market in terms of collection (1996).
There began my exposure to the markets.
From market collector, I was appointed as secretary to the market authority office. So I saw the market board. Then the chance opened for a promotion when Jojo dela Victoria was shot dead. He was the market administrator at that time. I was then appointed as acting market administrator (2006). I handled the office as acting for one year. I worked for that. I won’t be ashamed to say that I got the position. I gave my all in my work maybe even to the point of compromising my family.
In 2007, I got the item as market administrator until now. Maybe Mayor Michael Rama saw our capability in managing the markets so the position of PROBE was vacant, he offered it to me (November 2012). I consider it as a challenge.

After graduating and before going to City Hall, did you have any other job?
No. This is my only job.

If you are to describe yourself, who is Raquel Arce?
Jolly, friendly and can be trusted. But I know I have a strong personality and I’m firm in making decisions even if sometimes I know it’s wrong, but I stand by it if I have already decided on it. I will really stand. Manginlabot gyud ko and mobarog gyud ko especially if akoa nang katungod ang mayatakan.

How do you describe yourself as the head of Probe?
Tough, fearless.

Ever since you’ve worked with the city government, how many cases or complaints have you faced?
Sa markets, sa office of the Ombudsman, I could remember I have around five to six, maybe, cases on abuse of authority and conduct unbecoming and the like. I’m just fortunate and I know that the cases won’t prosper. All cases filed were dismissed.
For Probe, there are cases pending not just in the Ombudsman but in court. But it’s not on my personal capacity but on my official capacity. Most of them are on Temporary Restraining Order which I usually point out in my clearing orders that if you want to hold a clearing order, secure a TRO from court or a hold order from the mayor. So it’s better if they do that. I welcome that. There are some cases nga usahay, sobrahan na ba. But still, we’ve been assisted and supported by the legal office.

Do you get threats?
Lots of threats. I was even given by Mayor Mike close-in PNP (security) to go with me, to secure me in times, even after office, 24/7, because I have lots of death threats. Depending on the situation, for example in the Warwick Barracks, if we have a clearing order and there are illegal activities in the area, there are a lot of death threats expected. But it dies down later on.

How are the threats made?
Usually through text messages.

Has somebody confronted you personally and threatened you?
Yes. But maybe more on text messages. For upfront threats, they usually say I depend on my bodyguard. Or if I’m not a woman.

How do you deal with death threats?
It’s natural that once I receive death threats, I feel afraid. But then my security tightens. For me, I consider threats as a sign that maybe we are relaxing a bit. It’s a wake up call. Maybe we are already relaxing and we have to adjust. So at least, we are aware.

Every time you implement clearing orders, demolition, how do you feel?
First it’s a prerequisite in our office for the team that before we go to the area for implementation of the order, I will confine them in a closed-door room and we will meet and I give instructions and after that we say a prayer. I don’t have big clearing operations that I don’t start with a prayer for guidance and to keep not just me but all of us away from any untoward incidents. With that, that’s why I think although there are some resistance, it’s not that bad because I know He won’t leave me alone.

Personally, how do you cope with the stress that comes with your job?
Sometimes I shout especially if it involves my personnel. I shout, I shout a lot. Mangasaba gyud ko to the extent that sometimes I say hurtful things to my people. But for me, I consider it as a warning for them. It’s better if I reprimand you than if I won’t renew you. And I’m strict. Sometimes, especially if it’s really stressful, I will say let’s go videoke. It’s my outlet. And sometimes we go on outings, go to the beach. But most of the time I shout. That’s what makes it difficult especially for those who are close to me like my secretary. Even if the scolding is not for them, they cry. I can’t scold those I don’t know or those who don’t know me. At least they know me. They know how to adjust. After that, there’s nothing. I don’t hold grudges. Even with the vendors during confrontation, after, I’m willing to see them. Ako lang gyud ipagawas akong kahiubos. Wa gyud ni personalan akoa. I never hold grudges.

What’s the most stressful part of your job?
During implementation of clearing orders. It’s one of my secrets that in all my clearing (operations) there’s not much resistance because we give ample time. We give enough time for them to prepare. For example I clear an area and they have documents to prove that it’s theirs, then I give them 10 days, seven days, three days, so 20 days all in all. If they have enough documents, then show it, prove it. Because if they show a lot title, I don’t know how to read that. I have to refer that to the assessor’s office or engineering office. So the timeframe that I give them, it might be stretched depending on the result.
It’s not that we do summary clearing. We give them due process. During the due process, you can’t expect to talk directly to me. There are trustees and I have my men. That’s why during the actual implementation, I don’t talk anymore. I already gave enough time. Because if we still negotiate, we can’t do anything. (To be continued)

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