BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
After Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, who offered his services “free of charge” while serving as the economic affairs consultant of the provincial government of Negros Occidental, for more than two years, three Capitol executives are now offering their services to the Bacolod City government on a “pro bono” basis.
Benitez has submitted the proposed consultancy agreements between the City Government of Bacolod and Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, as consultant for administrative matters and systems review, Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, as consultant for health and hospital concerns, Lucille Gelvolea, consultant for special projects and economic affairs, and Atty. Valerie Ann Hollero, as consultant for health insurance and health care, to Sangguniang Panlungsod for approval.
Diaz, the provincial government administrator, Maestral the chief of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital chief and Gelvolea, the head of Economic Enterprise Development Division, are all Capitol employees. Hollero is a former regional vice president of PhilHealth.
Diaz said that Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson gave his approval for them to render services to the City Government of Bacolod, as requested by Mayor Benitez, on a “pro bono” basis.
He stressed that they will only serve as advisers of the mayor. “We do not claim to solve everything, but we are there to help 100 percent, regardless if we are busy here,” Diaz said.
If he trusts our integrity, capacity and our experience in governance, we cannot question that. It is the wisdom of the mayor (Benitez), who he will ask for help, he stressed.
Diaz however said they want to formalize their intervention in the city, through a formal contract, to avoid misinterpretation.
If you to want accept our help, we will help, without demeaning, or looking down anybody, he also said.
Benitez earlier said that he sees no conflict in hiring their services.*
