Six DWUP employees resign

CEBU, Philippines - Six casual employees of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor did not wait for Mayor Michael Rama to reject the renewal of their contracts and instead opted to resign.

Allanmar Catulinan, Elemp Angel Baculao, Genevieve Alcoseba, Absalon Lumayag, Victor Melendres and Marie Joan Loreto submitted their resignation letter Wednesday afternoon after serving the city government for more than 10 years.

The resignation letter was addressed to Rama and Human Resource Department head Veronica Morelos.

Alcoseba, who is a community assistant I, said that politics had something to do with her resignation despite the fact that she has given her wholehearted service to the government.

“Honestly, I have resentments, I never expect in my wildest dreams that I would be harassed in the office in front of my officemates and just be asked when will I tender my resignation,” Alcoseba said.

Melendres, who has worked for the city for 18 years, said he cannot accept the discrimination after knowing that his appointment was just only good for three months.

Melendres said he does not want to think that his appointment only had something to do with politics being identified with the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan founder Rep. Tomas Osmeña, once Rama’s ally and now his vocal critic.

Rama said that they have their reasons why they resigned.

“Ang importante nga wala nato sila gipa-resign,” the mayor said.

In a separate interview, DWUP chief Collin Rossell said he was no longer surprised why the six resigned, saying that they have long been planning to resign along with other key persons in DWUP.

Rossell said that they are preparing for a “political scenario”, claiming somebody from outside City Hall wants to destroy their office.

Last July 1, at least 15 DWUP employees received their notice of termination upon the recommendation based on an evaluation of their performance. (FREEMAN)