Focus on the goal. Do not spend excessively. Do not treat it as vacation spree.
These were the reminders of Department of Interior and Local Government Central Visayas (DILG-7) Director Pedro Noval Jr. to Cebu City department heads who are organizing strategic planning in hotels and resorts in various parts of Cebu province during the months of May to June.
The city accounting department, for example, wanted to have their strategic planning at Alta Cebu Village Resort and Convention Center in Cordova town.
City accountant Marietta Gumia said they appropriated close to P96,000 for their two-day strategic planning which would be held from May 20 to 21.
Gumia said they have appropriated P1,200 per head for their 80 office staff that would be attending their strategic planning.
Since all their office staff would be on seminar then, Gumia said they would have to close their office on May 20, a Friday.
“ And ubang departments adto sa mga mahalon kay daghan man ug funds ilang offices” Gumia told Cebu Daily News.
Gumia said departments decide on the venue of their strategic planning based on the availability of their office funds.
Strategic planning are allowed at city hall because it will help them “assess and even improve the performance of a certain offices.”
“It will also plot the things that need to be improved and goals to be reached by the department next year,” said Gumia.
DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo issued a memorandum circular that directs Local Government Units to refrain from holding seminars, tours and other activities outside of their jurisdiction to save funds.
City Councilor Joey Daluz, chairman of the city council committee on budget, said strategic planning are more effective if held outside the city hall.
“Maka focus man gyud ang mga staff kay layo man sila sa ilang trabaho. Kung naa sa city hall gud pwede ra man mo agto ug office para balikon ang trabaho,” Daluz said.
Noval admitted that the conduct of strategic plannings are important but he reminded the city hall employees to stay focus on the purpose of their strategic planning. He also warned them against excessive spending.