Molo barangay captains slam SP’s non-confirmation of new CEO chief
Barangay captains in Molo district slammed the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) for playing politics in the confirmation of former Punong Barangay Mike Chin as chief of the City Engineer’s Office (CEO).
The SP failed to confirm Chin’s appointment after the votation it conducted during last Wednesday’s session resulted to a tie and Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog, being the presiding officer, abstained.
Seven city councilors voted for the confirmation of Chin, namely, Jeffrey Ganzon, Ely Estante, Armand Parcon, Antonio Pesina, Eldrid Antiquiera, Irene Ong, and Erwin Plagata. The other seven who voted “No” are: Julienne Baronda, Eduardo Peñaredondo, John Melchor Mabilog, Perla Zulueta, Lex Tupas, Lyndon Acap, and Jose Espinosa III. Mabilog was supposed to break the tie but he preferred not to cast his vote.
Punong Barangay Gemma Calzado of Brgy. Kasing-Kasing, Molo said in a radio interview that politics played a role in the votation.
Calzado said the city councilors are already playing politics this early at the expense of their former colleague Chin who is very qualified to become City Engineer.
Calzado said the city councilors who voted against Chin’s appointment have done so because they are not aligned with Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. and Chin is publicly known to be an ally of the Gonzalezes.
She called on Mayor Jerry Treñas to stand by his recommendation to appoint Chin as CEO chief. Calzado said with the non-approval of the SP it is now time for Mayor Treñas to intervene.
Calzado together with some barangay captains in Molo District gathered at the Molo plaza yesterday to protest their former colleague’s non-confirmation.
She said Association of Barangay Captains Molo chapter president Reyland Hervias is also behind their cause.
Earlier, the SP required Chin to show proofs of being a practicing engineer before his appointment could be confirmed by the legislative body.
Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog said they have compelled Chin to give supporting documents that he is a practicing civil engineer before the council approves his appointment. He only showed copies of his diploma, PRC licensure and his rating in the licensure exam in the previous session.
Chin’s confirmation was stalled after he failed to give supporting documents deemed by Mabilog and other councilors necessary before his confirmation.
Chin, in earlier radio interview, said he was not required of the certification before he was set for confirmation last week.
Chin, a former barangay captain of Avancena, Molo said he was an appointee of Mayor Jerry Treñas and not of Gonzalez. It was Councilor Jose Espinosa III who made a move at the city council for Chin’s confirmation. Earlier, Treñas wants Engr. Llane Opinion to assume as CEO head after Engr. Marito Amatorio retired.
Mabilog said the Local Government Code of 1991 requires that “he must have acquired experience in the practice of his profession for at least five years” in case of city engineer. Chin’s experience is not clear based on his personal data sheet. It is not sufficient.
In his personal data sheet, Chin said that he was involved in a construction of a dam, a cadet engineer at the District Engineering Office and a consultant to the projects initiated by former Cong. Rafael Lopez-Vito, said Mabilog.
It is not clear on whether he was the one who designed the dam and what are his responsibilities over the making of the project, said Mabilog.
He added that a position of a cadet engineer at the District Engineers Office is only a casual employee. A casual employee is not given much responsibility. In his involvement on the Lopez-Vito funded projects, Mabilog said Chin might be only assigned in the construction of waiting sheds and foot walks.
Mabilog said the position as city engineer is a “sensitive and vital position” that will contribute to further development of the city. He must have the experience to become the city engineer. It is not a matter of who you know, he said.
A city engineer shall also act as the local building official based on the provisions of the Local Government Code.
Being the city engineer is not only a matter of construction of buildings but working on the city’s infrastructure and development plan and budget allocation in proposed projects. He will also give advice the mayor on infrastructure, public works and other engineering matters, said Mabilog.
The vice mayor likewise reiterated the functions of a city engineer. He must initiate, review and recommend changes in the policies and objectives, plans and programs, techniques, procedures and practices in infrastructure development and public works in general of the local government unit concerned.
