SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines – Acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr on Thursday, July 23, appealed to city councilors to “uphold the greater good” and support his reform plans for Makati City.
Peña’s newly-appointed Public Information Office head Gilbert delos Reyes said in a statement that the acting mayor hopes the city councilors would back Peña’s plans, which include the following:
- Comprehensive audit of Makati’s sister city programs
- Full implementation of an electronic payroll system for all city government employees
- Purging of ghost employees
- More transparent and participatory bidding process for the city’s programs and services, starting with the birthday cakes for the elderly
- Release of the productivity enhancement incentive bonus to city hall employees
- Improvement of services and benefits provided to the residents of Makati, such as the delivery of free medicines to senior citizens and universal health insurance to city hall employees
However, these proposals need to be approved by the city councilors, most of whom are supporters of suspended Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr.
“While acting Mayor Peña understands the close affinity of many of the councilors with suspended Mayor Junjun Binay, he is still hoping that their sense of duty to the people of Makati whom they have sworn to serve would eventually prevail,” said Delos Reyes. (READ: Kid Peña to Makati gov’t workers: Be professional)
He added that now is the “best time” for the city council to demonstrate to Makati residents their “sincere commitment to the attainment of inclusive progress.”
“Right now, Makati is at a crucial juncture that opens up the path towards meaningful reforms that will ensure a more equitable distribution of the city’s vast resources, as well as better access to quality services that all of our constituents deserve,” Delos Reyes said.
“The proposed reforms of acting Mayor Peña are reasonable, timely, and viable. We remain optimistic that our city councilors will find it in their hearts to do what is right, what is best for the people of Makati,” he added.
Councilor Marie Alethea Casal-Uy previously said that Peña’s reforms were not new. She said the proposed increase in benefits for the elderly was pending before the city council level, but was not passed because of the political tension over Binay’s suspension. (READ: Makati councilors skip Peña’s first flag ceremony as acting mayor)
While he shared Casal-Uy’s view, acting Vice Mayor Leonardo Magpantay, who is also part of the city council, said, “If it’s for the welfare of the majority of the people of Makati, why will we oppose it?” – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.