ILOILO City – In the presence of boy and girl city officials, Mayor Jerry Treñas minced no words as he verbally attacked unnamed officers and personnel of the City Engineer’s Office in a blistering speech during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at city hall.
He accused them of engaging in partisan activities in the recent midterm elections.
“Kamo dira sa City Engineer(’s Office) mga yawa kamo!” hollered Treñas, channeling President Rodrigo Duterte who is known to hurl invectives during public speeches.
All his businesses were subjected to monthly inspection during the previous city hall administration, like checking the occupancy permits, said Treñas.
“Pausar-usar kamo sa hijo de puta? Tonto kamo!” said a visibly irate mayor.
The high school boy and girl city officials and city government officials and employees were silent, stunned by what they heard.
Treñas accused the previous city government of pressuring regular employees and job hires to engage in partisan political activities.
“Never again should the offices of the city government be used for partisan consideration. Sugod subong kon sin-o sa inyo ang mapausar-usar pulitika, tapongolon ko,” warned the mayor.
Continuing his rant, “Wala kamo nahuya? Indi ang mayor ang gapasweldo sa inyo. Ang gapasweldo sa inyo ang gobyerno sang syudad.”
The fiery speech was intentional, Treñas admitted as much.
“Gusto ko ang mga kabataan makabati. Indi ‘na husto nga klase sang pang administrasyon. Dapat serbisyo sang husto,” he explained.
Treñas also warned department heads frequently absent from meetings. Their offices won’t be receiving budgets, he said.
“Ginbayran kita tanan sang pumoulyo sang syudad. Waay kita nagabakasyon diri. Waay kita ginabayran para magkaon sa mga hotel. Ginabayran kita para mag obra,” Treñas said.
Just last week, Iloilo City was recognized as the most business-friendly highly urbanized city outside Metro Manila by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). President Duterte awarded Treñas with a plaque.
PCCI annually recognizes local government units that have demonstrated outstanding efforts in instituting good governance reforms to promote trade and investments, transparency, accountability, and efficiency in delivering business services to generate inclusive and sustainable growth, and fast-track local economic development.
“The award affirms investors’ confidence in Iloilo City. The city’s business-friendliness has also raised governance to the next level with active and strong public-private partnerships (PPP) in various priority programs and projects,” Treñas stressed./PN
