The televisions removed from the various Bacolod City government offices may be used for CCTV monitoring or donated to public schools, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Monday, March 27.
The mayor ordered the removal of the televisions last week after five city employees were caught watching a TV show at the Cash Division of the City Treasurer’s Office during office hours.
“These things should never happen, I would like to send a message for all of our city employees that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior,” he said.
He ordered the removal of the televisions so there will be no temptation, Benitez said, stressing that city employees should be working during office hours.
The General Services Office reported that there are 133 televisions in various city government offices.
Benitez said some departments will be allowed to keep their televisions if they are used for official business, provided written requests justifying their need are made.
The rest of the televisions would be put to good use elsewhere, he added.
City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III said the initial response of the employees involved was to send an apology.
If evidence is sufficient, it will sent to the City Legal Office so show cause orders can be issued to the employees involved, he added.
Maghari also said the five employees who were assigned city government vehicles that were lost have also been sent notices to comply with Commission on Audit requirements.
The COA will determine if they will be made to pay for the vehicles or be sanctioned, City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said.*