Defensor reiterates call for better Iloilo
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. reiterated his call for provincial government employees to join him in his crusade for a better Iloilo Province during the Capitol flag-raising ceremony yesterday.
“It’s nice to be back,” Defensor said, speaking in front of the Capitol employees.
Defensor also introduced former Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias as the new Provincial Administrator and Atty. Dennis Ventilacion as the Provincial Legal Officer.
According to a Capitol report, Defensor lamented that nine years after he left the provincial government to serve as congressman of the Third District, many bad things happened in the provincial government.
“Although I was not here for nine years, I was aware of all the happenings here,” he said.
The governor vowed to bring change in the provincial government and warned employees involved in shenanigans to better shape up otherwise they will face appropriate sanctions.
“We are here not for our personal advantage or aggrandizement but to offer ourselves for sacrifice in the name of public service,” he said.
Defensor said there will be some changes in the staffing of the provincial government as he will get rid of those personalities who were involved in any form of opportunism and abuse in the previous administration.
He said that currently, an extensive evaluation of the provincial government’s workforce is being conducted to determine the usefulness of each employee.
Defensor also assured that under his administration he will work hard to bring back self-respect among the provincial government workers by leading as an example.
He reiterated his promise during his inauguration that all the health workers will be paid their hazard pay. He also assured the employees of an increase in their subsistence allowance, adding that he will work out with the Department of Budget Management the possibility of increasing the salaries of provincial government workers.
Defensor also introduced the new Provincial Administrator in the person of former Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias and the new Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Dennis Ventilacion.
