The Mandaue City Government is seeking assistance from the Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) due to the Bureau of Local Government Finance's (BLGF) months-long inaction regarding the appointment of a new city treasurer. City officials expressed frustration over the BLGF's lack of response and claim that the bureau disregarded their recommended candidate and failed to communicate formally. The City has been without a treasurer since October 8, 2024, when the previous treasurer filed her candidacy for congresswoman.
The Mandaue City Government is asking the Anti-Red Tape Authority for assistance following months of inaction by the Bureau of Local Government Finance concerning the appointment of its new city treasurer.
City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan said on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, that they have been frustrated by BLGF’s lack of response, as city officials criticized the bureau for bypassing their endorsed candidate and failing to communicate with them formally.The City has been without an appointed treasurer since Oct. 8, 2024, when its then-city treasurer, Regal Oliva, filed her certificate of candidacy for congresswoman of the lone district of Mandaue. To address the vacancy, the City recommended Assistant City Treasurer Julie Ballesteros for the position. Despite submitting their endorsement on Oct. 17, city officials claimed they have not received any official response from the BLGF.“We have not received any specific response to our endorsement for the acting city treasurer. If they did not approve our endorsement, they should have sent us a formal denial,” said Calipayan.In the previous interview with City Budget Officer Giovannie Tianero, he said that according to the Local Treasury Operations Manual, when a vacancy occurs, the assistant city treasurer automatically assumes the role of officer-in-charge , provided the local chief executive endorses the appointment.If no recommendation is made within 48 hours, the BLGF can appoint a city treasurer.Tianero pointed out that the City complied with the required procedures, yet their endorsement of Ballesteros remains unacknowledged. Instead, the BLGF made its own recommendation on Nov. 26, proposing an external candidate reportedly from Tacloban City.BLGF representatives visited Mandaue City Hall to push their recommendation. During their visit, they presented documents for Mayor Glenn Bercede to sign, endorsing their chosen candidate. Bercede declined to sign immediately, citing the need for further review, said Calipayan. RAs 9485 and 11032According to the official website of BLGF, amending Republic Act 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, and RA 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, mandate all government offices and agencies, including local government units , government-owned or controlled corporations and other government instrumentalities, to provide services covering business and non-business-related transactions, which adopt simplified procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite transactions in government.Despite these mandates, Mandaue City officials said their endorsement, which the BLGF received on Oct. 17, has gone unanswered. “Since October, we have not received any response from the BLGF, although they have been here several times endorsing someone else,” Calipayan said.The City has sent follow-up letters to the BLGF but has yet to receive any clarification. This prompted the City to prepare a formal request for Arta’s intervention.However, Calipayan did not disclose when they would send the letter to Arta.The City Government is now looking to Arta to resolve the issue and ensure compliance with procedural guidelines. Arta, established to reduce bureaucratic red tape and improve government efficiency, is authorized to act on complaints regarding delayed government transactions.“We just want clarity, a positive or negative response, so we can move forward,” Calipayan said.Calipayan said that the BLGF, as a national agency, is subject to Arta regulations. While awaiting the BLGF’s response, Ballesteros continues to serve as acting city treasurer. City officials maintained that she is the most qualified candidate for the role, having served as the assistant city treasurer under Oliva for an extended period.“There’s no rush to appoint someone permanently, especially with the current ban on appointments. However, if we must select someone, Ballesteros is well-qualified,” Calipayan said.The City, under Ballesteros’ management, has operated smoothly with no issues reported.Meanwhile, the BLGF’s Local Treasury Operations Division conducted a surprise evaluation of Mandaue City’s treasury operations on Dec. 18. BLGF Central Office officer Cynthia Faurillo said that Mandaue City has been found compliant with financial regulations, including the timely deposit of collections and accurate daily recording of transactions.Calipayan said that the City is determined to move forward with the appointment process while ensuring adherence to proper procedures.They also seek to understand why the BLGF has failed to respond.“If they can’t respond, we need to know why. What’s stopping them?” Calipayan said.Calipayan added that he hopes that Arta’s intervention will expedite the resolution of this matter.
Mandaue City Bureau Of Local Government Finance Anti-Red Tape Authority City Treasurer Appointment Political Vacancy
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