By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
HE’S neither “The Terminator” nor “Zoro”.
Moreover, it’s a promise: no mighty sword(s) shall be swung.
Hence, city workers in Bacolod must fear not Atty. Rayfrando “Atty. Ray” Diaz II.
The guy is the current the provincial administrator of the province of Negros Occidental.
Being an acknowledged “brain” behind the “excellent systematization” at the provincial capitol, Atty. Ray was tapped by Bacolod City’s Mayor Albee Benitez as one of the latter’s four (pro bono) consultants.
Atty. Ray will focus on administrative matters and system review.
Sans legal barriers, Negros Occidental’s Gov. Bong Lacson let Atty. Ray accept Mayor Albee’s offer “in the spirit of oneness”.
The City Council of Bacolod, two weeks ago, finally approved Atty. Ray’s, et al.’s consultancy contract. Such a pact, however, ain’t a “walk in the park” even though the council is dominated by the mayor’s political allies. Rather, ‘twas met by a “silent protest” with doubts (to the highest level) enveloping the issue.
Many perceive that Atty. Ray will be Mayor Albee’s “Arnold Schwarzenegger” who will act as “The Terminator” against those perceived to be “wishy-washy” yet “double-crossing” people at the New Government Center (NGC). Or he could be the mayor’s “Zoro” who will wield his mighty swors against the “antagonists”.
So, it really necessitated me to personally meet the guy. Glad he OK’d for a one-on-one interview on October 21.
FAST AS POSSIBLE
With calmness and humility (totally in contrast against the worrying public perception), Atty. Ray just simply said in jest, “I’ll just help Mayor Albee succeed with what he’s dreaming of for Bacolod…we want such success to come soonest.”
But not that easy, of course! Because Atty. Ray himself admitted that they need to deal with lots of concerns-slash-challenges, especially on the administrative aspect.
Plans, however, are already in place. And these include the immediate implementation of the following:
* Document Tracking System (DTS)
* Motorpool Management System (MMS)
* Capitol Cab Service (CCS)
* Procurement System (PS)
* Personnel Information System (PIS)
Such were already tested and proven in the province. Thus, Atty. Ray is confident these will also be “swak” for Bacolod.
“That’s why we need to choose the right people to man the system,” he said.
And emphasized by him: “We need LOYAL PEOPLE.”
TOWARDS TRANSPARENCY
Atty. Ray is not an “alien” in the city. He was the city legal officer of then mayor Monico Puentevella for more than a year.
Undeniably, he has a “sense of familiarity” as to the people at the NGC. But then again, he stressed, “There’s nothing to fear. What we just want is to simply instill a new culture of serving. And all this is geared towards transparency. That’s why upon setting up a certain direction, execution follows as fast as we can. We need to level up certain degree of participation amongst the city’s employees.”
Quite tedious, for sure! But this well-rounded attorney believes “focus is the key”.
‘ABSTRACT OF CHANGE’
Above all, he stressed his “costless intervention” in the city is for unity’s sake.
Good to note, he added, that there’s unity now (for the first time) between the province and Bacolod.
Governor Bong and Mayor Albee are sharing ideas, including the freshest tacks (just) for the same vision – goodness of everyone!
“And I am blessed to be participating in it now until this unity becomes ripe and bears good fruits!” Atty. Ray punctuated.
The current “oneness” of Bacolod and Negros Occidental could lead to “seamless” governance and public service. And Atty. Ray could be the “formidable bridge” that would spell lots of meaningful “abstract of changes” that Mayor Albee is exactly wanting for Bacolod./PN
