By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas approved the appointment of a new market master and city engineer.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod has concurred with the appointments through a resolution.
Sheila Marie Rapatan-de Leon is new market master while Engr. Roy Tomas assumes the position of city engineer.
Ms. De Leon and Mr. Tomas personally presented themselves to the members of the council; they answered queries about possible problems on their appointments as well as on their new offices.
Prior to her appointment, Ms. De Leon was posted at the Laoag City Commercial Complex for 12 years. She started as a rank-and-file employee until her rise to her current post.
During their presentation at the council, Ms. De Leon disclosed that the market is “under control”. However, she also stated that the market’s roofing needs major repair. She also mentioned the lack of water supply, which is a perennial problem during summer.
Mr. Tomas, on the other hand, has been serving at the Laoag government for 28 years.
During his presentation, he vowed to support the present administration’s mission and vision. He also presented the proposed rehabilitation of the city’s drainage system.
Mr. Tomas was queried on the present traffic situation in the city, particularly the problem on parking spaces. The new city engineer said he will look into this and that he will strictly implement the country’s building code to prevent traffic problems.
Laoag vice mayor Michael V. Fariñas also asked Mr. Tomas to prepare a program of works for LCCC’s roofing problem, which Ms. De Leon presented.
The two take over from Alfonso Coloma, who retired; the late acting city engineer Fred Agpaoa.
Meanwhile, Ms. Fariñas has instructed the personnel selection board (PSD) to fast-track the selection of people to fill vacant positions. She stressed that filling the vacated posts would further improve the city’s governance process. She added that it would also give opportunity for others to either step up in rank as there is already appropriations for such.