SP looks into Capitol job hires
Whereabouts of "warm bodies" in hundreds of job hires in the Iloilo Provincial Government highlighted yesterday's committee hearing called by the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).
Conducted by the Committee on Appropriation chaired by Vice Governor Rolex Suplico, questions were raised on the identities of the job hires cum contractual employees.
The hearing barred presence of the media yet The News Today (TNT) learned that significant time was spent on the subject.
Board members present took turns in checking on the list of the said job hires that reportedly raised a lot of brows from those present.
TNT failed to determine the actual number of job hires of the provincial government, but it was learned that they are distributed among the various departments.
The ensuing discussion primarily addresses the official nod sought by Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. on over P23.8 million in additional Capitol budget. If approved, this would be the fourth for this year in a supplemental budget that has thus far reached about P138 million.
Added to the current budget of over P973 million, the amount places the Iloilo Provincial Government in the nation's Billionaire's club anew.
The governor's request went through the more stringent study, evaluation and consideration of the committee.
Bulk of the latest request includes planned expenditures of over P4 million in gasoline, oil and lubricant expenses. P2 million of which is intended for the Office of the Governor, over P1.5 million for the same gas allowance of the Provincial Engineers Office and nearly P600,000 for the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center. Additional office supplies are also needed by the governor valued at half a million pesos. And Governor's office again with the need to pay general services of over P2.4 million alongside P2 million in anti-rabies vaccine.
Other identified expenses are police motorcycle units worth P1.6 million while various district hospitals will get millions in equipment.
Iloilo Provincial Hospital is set to have a cardiac monitor with defibrillator valued P1.16 million, a humacloth junior valued P450,000, a hematology analyzer worth P950,000 and hospital beds worth P350,000.
Upgrading also awaits the facilities and equipment of Aleosan District Hospital, Don Valerio Palmares District Hospital, Dr. Ricardo Provido Memorial Hospital, Pedro Trono Memorial Hospital, Barotac Viejo District Hospital and the Dr. R. Ladrido Hospital.