6 CH employees' termination based on CSC order

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Hall’s Human Resource and Development Office yesterday clarified that the city government did not terminate the services of six City Health Department employees.

HRDO chief, Atty. Mary Ann Suson, corrected a radio commentary that Mayor Michael Rama terminated the six employees who work as administrative aids at the CHD were terminated by Mayor Rama because they were allegedly midnight appointees of the former mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Suson clarified there was an order from the Civil Service Commission, received by her office last March 1, disapproving the appointments of these six employees after the Commission discovered that their employment did not pass through the screening of the Personnel Selection Board.

The six employees were hired a year ago to assist the health department in various administrative works. They are receiving Salary Grade III compensation.

Suson said the CSC could not find a date of the PSB screening and there was no signature of the PSB chairman indicated in the appointments.

Under CSC rules, she explained employees, especially for plantilla or regular positions must undergo the screening of the PSB.

After applicants are screened, the board will then choose the top five qualified applicants for each position. These top five applicants are those who have been assessed and have met the qualifications.

The top five are submitted to the mayor who has the discretion whom to hire.

Suson said that PSB operates to assist the mayor in the pre-screening process. It is the mayor who will have the final say but the mayor can only choose from those recommended and have passed the PSB.

Suson said the employees are still working because she is awaiting the instruction from the mayor on what to do with them.

Supposedly, the employees are automatically terminated upon the receipt of the CSC order.

Suson said that the employees have the chance to get their jobs back if the PSB opens the positions for hiring.

But she added that when they open the positions, as the process requires it, other applicants may also apply. All applicants will be given a uniform level of playing field. 

“If the board sees that they qualify, then we will hire them again,” Suson said. (FREEMAN)