Capitol heads resign to give way to ‘changes’

AT THE HELM. Reelected Gov. Hilario Davide III (right) holds steady the Philippine flag while Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Capitol officials and employees stand at attention during the flag-raising ceremony. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

ABOUT 15 Capitol department heads tendered their courtesy resignation letter to Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III following his announcement that there will soon be changes in the provincial government.

Bhobby Nacorda, head of the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), said this would give the governor a free hand to assign or make changes in the Capitol’s organizational structure once he begins his second term by noontime of June 30.

“This doesn’t mean resignation from service, but the intention is to tell the governor that we are open to receive new functions in line with what would be the mandate for his new term,” he said.

Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino met with the department heads at the Capitol last Monday where he suggested the idea of tendering a letter of resignation out of courtesy.

Nacorda, who was present during the meeting and was one of those who tendered his resignation, said it was explained that those who hold regular posts are not obliged to submit the letter.

“It was not compulsory nor was it forced. They are not obliged, like me, but I understood the meaning of it,” Nacorda said.

If the governor accepts the department heads’ resignation, that means they will be subjected to other functions or additional functions on top of their present work.

“Nobody will be terminated. We are not talking about termination,” Nacorda said.

The first to submit their letters of resignation were Tolentino, Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. and Cebu South Bus Terminal Operations Manager Ramon Dumayac.

Other department heads who offered their letters of resignation on the day of the meeting through Nacorda were Jone Sepe (General Services), Benjamin Joseph Yap (Investment Promotions), Christopher Lucero (Planning), Ethel Natera (Public Information), Mary Rose Vincoy (Veterinary), Danilo Rodas (Budget), Emmanuel Guial (Treasury), Chad Estella (Environment), Roldan Saragena (Agriculture), and Hector Jamora (Engineering).
Nacorda said he cannot speak for other department heads on whether or not they have submitted their letters of resignation.

Governor Davide said it was a good idea for the department heads to submit courtesy resignation letters since it is customary for any new administration.

“Last time, I don’t think I received any when I first assumed,” he said, referring to department heads left by then-governor and now Cebu third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Davide told Capitol employees during last Monday’s flag ceremony to expect changes in the departments.

“We will assess what happened in the last three years so we can make changes. That’s normal,” the governor said.

He also said department heads don’t need to fear offering resignation letters unless they did “something bad.”