NEGROS Oriental Acting Governor Edward Mark Macias said he will gather all department heads and key personnel for a meeting on Monday, October 23, to lay down his plans for the next 90 days.
Macias took over the top Capitol post on Wednesday, October 18, after Governor Roel Degamo was slapped a 90-day preventive suspension by anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on the case of alleged misuse of the P460-million calamity fund.
Regional Director Rene Burdeos of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Central Visayas served the order early Wednesday. It was received by Assistant Provincial Administrator Froilan Joseph Pinili at the Office of the Governor.
Macias stressed the importance of the continued delivery of basic services and that all officials should continue serving in their present capacity.
He added that during the meeting on Monday, he wants to be briefed on the personnel in every department, their budget, programs and projects, their problems and concerns.
In the next 90 days, Macias said he wanted to help find solutions to these concerns and not to add to the problems of the Provincial Government.
Macias said he was served an order to assume the governor’s post and took his oath before Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Gerardo Paguio Jr., along with Second District Board Member Mariant Escaño Villegas, who also took her oath as acting vice governor.
It was the second time for both officials to assume the same positions.
The first was when Degamo was served a suspension order by the Office of the Ombudsman. It only lasted for five days as the governor was able to secure a temporary restraining order.
Macias confirmed that he met with Degamo before the governor’s suspension order was served to say that he wanted a smooth transition.
He added that he made known to Degamo his plans and asked for everyone’s cooperation.
Macias thanked Degamo for enjoining employees of the Provincial Government to support him during his stint as acting governor.
Villegas said she would give the necessary support to the acting governor to fasttrack the implementation of projects. (with reports from PNA)