Council wants say on job order workers

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu City Councilors want half of the 1,000 Job Order personnel in each department at City Hall appointed by the legislative branch.

“(This is) to check (the JOs if they are really working). Ang main intention to check asa i-assign kay project-based man ang mga JOs,” said Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., one of the councilors pushing for the move.

Councilor Sisinio Andales also believes the proposed move will be fair.

“Kon adunay 813 (in totality) ka mga JOs, ang 400 kapin ang mayor (executive branch) ang mo appoint niya ang laing 400 kapin amo nang tungaan (from the legislative branch),” Andales cites a scenario.

Gabuya said none of the department heads opposed the proposal, so far.

“So far, wala man. I don’t think also ang mayor (Michael Rama) will disagree in the name of equality,” Gabuya said.

“Actually maka-recommend man mi karon pero I hope nga tagaan og weight (recommendation),” Gabuya said.

The arrangement will also ensure that the JO workers will receive their salary as their will be counter-checking.

A few months ago, 28 JOs assigned at the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement office did not receive their salary for lack of documents.

Based on reports, the said JOs worked from January this year but it was only in the month of March when the City Council Committee on Budget and Finance received the budget request for their salary from PROBE head Raquel Arce.

“Before the renewal (or hiring) of employees, they need approval (by the City Council) kay kung mag-hire (because if they do without approval), it’s too risky,” Councilor Noel Wenceslao reminds. —/JMO (FREEMAN)