ORDER OF BUSINESS. Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia (right, with mic) presides over a meeting with department heads on Monday (May 13, 2024). The Department of the Interior and Local Government designated him to replace Michael Rama who was ordered suspended for six months. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City-PIO)
CEBU CITY – The designated acting mayor in this capital city on Monday said his administration will focus on the Palarong Pambansa in July this year.
Raymond Alvin Garcia, designated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as acting mayor effective May 11, said he would be hands-on in the preparation for the national multi-event for elementary and secondary students.
Over 12,000 athletes, coaches, trainers and school officials are expected.
Garcia’s designation came after the Office of the Ombudsman placed Mayor Michael Rama under a six-month preventive suspension that stemmed from the complaint of four city hall employees that their salaries were withheld for 10 months.
“I will be on top of the Palaro to make sure that preparation will be done properly,” Garcia told reporters in a press conference at the Cebu City Hall Legislative Building where he holds office.
He hinted that some adjustments in the preparations will be made.
Col. Ireneo Dalogdog, chief of the Philippine National Police here, assured the city government of a peaceful and orderly conduct of the games.
Dalogdog said the city is ready to deploy police officers three times the number they dispatched during the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association 2024 meet that ended here May 9.
The Palarong Pambansa will be held July 6 to 17.
Meanwhile, the acting mayor directed the new city administrator, lawyer Christine Batucan, to immediately process the salaries of the four employees.
They alleged they were removed from their posts and assigned to other departments. (PNA)
