Affected by outsourcing: Capitol workers question status

At least a hundred employees of the Cebu Provincial Capitol, who were allegedly forced to avail of the Early Retirement Plan as their work contracts were no longer renewed since July, complained of being asked to report on an "unclear" status.

The road and maintenance section of the Provincial Engineering Office, with the most number of affected personnel since Governor Gwendolyn Garcia decided to venture into the outsourcing of personnel by having the road repair and maintenance implemented through contractors, visited the offices of Provincial Board members recently to complain on the reported ambiguous situation they are in, after being told to report and punch in again using their Daily Time Record.

According to one of the affected workers, who opted not to be named fearing the complaint might affect the release of benefits, 59 of them belonging to the first batch applied for the ERP and voluntary separation last July 22.

The governor approved the application for the ERP last August 9, which means that their employment ties with the provincial government was already severed effective on that date.

But on Monday, August 15, they received a verbal instruction from their administrative officer Augustina Caña to report back to work and use their DTRs.

They said the instruction seemed vague in the absence of a written memorandum from the governor herself.

Caña confirmed having received only verbal instructions from Provincial Human Resource officer Noli Valencia to let the engineering personnel report to work.

Pablo John Garcia, Capitol consultant on information, confirmed such instruction, which he said is for the good of the ERP applicants.

He said the applicants are considered terminated only upon approval and completion of the requirements and clearances.

As to the issuance of a written memorandum, Pablo John said there is no need because they are still employees of the provincial government.

"The governor doesn't have to issue memo everyday to employees so that they'll report tomorrow. They are expected to, memo or no memo," Pablo John said.

Gwen's administration now opted outsourcing of personnel in the various departments including the City Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center and the 18 district hospitals.

This, according to her, will ensure efficiency and prompt delivery of basic services. - Ferliza C. Contratista