By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has issued a stern warning to city government employees who allegedly use their positions to avoid paying their bills at business establishments in the city.

“Pasensyahanay lang kita — we will not tolerate this,” Gasataya said during the flag-raising ceremony attended by city employees, department heads and the Sangguniang Panlungsod members yesterday.

The warning came after the mayor received reports from private business owners alleging that some city employees ordered food and beverages but refused to pay their bills.

Gasataya said he has already ordered an investigation into the matter.

The mayor stressed that local business owners should not be taken advantage of.

“They are taxpayers who work hard to earn an honest living and deserve to be protected, not exploited,” Gasataya said.

“I’m just appealing to everyone not to continue this kind of behavior. Once I complete the documents, well, I’m sorry,” he said.

The mayor emphasized that such actions are unfair to the city’s business owners.

“They are paying their taxes, paying their employees, and investing in their businesses. Their products and services are not free, so we should also be reasonable,” Gasataya said.

Gasataya also urged business establishment owners who have experienced similar incidents involving city employees to report them so that appropriate action can be taken immediately./MAP, WDJ