“My official work had started even before the signing of the contract,” Diaz said, saying that Benetiz had sought his help even during the campaign period.
He said his priorities where Benitez asked him to help are the systems which they have effectively set up in the province, especially the Document Tracking System in using quick response (QR) codes, the Motor Pool Management System for the inventory of transport vehicles and the procurement system.
Diaz said he will also be rallying for the establishment of the Personnel Information System.
Aside from him, Atty. Valerie Ann Hollero has been designated by Benitez as consultant for health insurance and healthcare while Dr. Mary Ann Maestral and Lucille Gelvolea were consultants for health and hospital concerns and for special projects and economic affairs, respectively.
Currently, Gelvolea is the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) head of Negros Occidental while Maestral is the chief of hospital of Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City
“(We are) all for one and one for all knowing that there are things where the mayor lacks some degree of exposure in running a local government unit,” Diaz stressed.
He reiterated that their roles as consultant is pro-bono (for free) and out of “gratis et amore” or for their love of Benitez and the highly urbanized city.
The contract signing between Benitez and the four consultants took place after the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod approved last week the authority asked by the mayor to sign the proposed consultancy agreements.*