■ DILG 7 ALLOWS MAYOR OSMEÑA TO APPOINT ERMITA'S ACTING BARANGAY CAPTAIN

DILG 7 allows Cebu City mayor to appoint temporary village chief after the suspension of Ermita officials. Tumulak says he is willing to temporarily manage the barangay so as not to hamper the delivery of basic services.

Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak will take on a familiar role, this time in Barangay Ermita. He will sit as acting barangay captain of Ermita after the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 allowed Mayor Tomas Osmeña to appoint the replacement of suspended Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta, pending the official appointment from the Office of the President. Tumulak, who was barangay captain of Basak Pardo for 18 years, said he is willing to temporarily manage the barangay so the delivery of basic services will not be hampered.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 has allowed Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to appoint an acting barangay captain of Ermita pending the official appointment from the Office of the President.

One of those being considered for the post is Councilor Dave Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters.

Atty. Rene Burdeos, DILG 7 regional director, said Osmeña can appoint a temporary village chief since the City Government has the direct supervision over the villages.

Osmeña said Tumulak can sit as acting barangay captain, say- ing it’s best to get someone who wants the temporary position.

Tumulak expressed willingness to temporarily manage the barangay so the delivery of basic services will not be hampered.

“For how many days, they’ve failed to appoint the acting barangay captain of Ermita and the situation created chaos and confusion among the people on who they will seek assistance to. The residents deserve the services of the barangay,” he said.

The councilor, who previously served as barangay captain of Basak Pardo, said he will immediately vacate the position once DILG appoints the acting officials.

Osmeña said Tumulak and Carbon Public Market administrator Atty. Winifredo Orcullo Jr. can both supervise Ermita.

Orcullo was earlier appointed as caretaker of Ermita after the Office of the Ombudsman suspended the barangay officials.

The mayor said Ermita still needs the legal assistance of Orcullo since there might be people who will challenge the authority of the acting village chief.

In the meantime that there is no acting barangay captain yet, Osmeña said he is signing the documents for Ermita. /