Unpaid college staff question termination

CEBU, Philippines - Six months after their last paid day of work, the plight of 29 unsalaried non-teaching personnel of Talisay City College continues.

This as the non-teaching personnel of the city college asked Mayor Johnny De los Reyes and the entire members of the TCC Board of Trustees to explain the delay of their salaries' release for six months now.

In a four-page manifestation letter signed by the 29-non teaching personnel, they questioned a June 16 memorandum issued by De los Reyes terminating their services.

"Please be informed that effective immediately, your services are hereby terminated," the memorandum read, directing the workers to turn over all their school properties, records and other accountabilities.

But for Lira dela Torre, who stands as the spokesperson, the memorandum of  De los Reyes was illegal and was executed with grave abuse of discretion.

According to the teachers, the mayor has no power to terminate their services as they are covered by the existing city ordinance.

De la Torre pointed out that nothing in the city ordinance empowers the mayor to hire and terminate teaching and non-teaching personnel of the city college.

"The Board has been granted the authority to independently decide on matters affecting the interests of the college including that of its teaching and non-teaching personnel," their manifestation read.

Furthermore, they accused the mayor for his vindictiveness by repressing their rights on withholding their salaries.

Loulette Zafra, one of the non-teaching personnel, said their P12,000 monthly salary was not yet released. Zafra also claimed they were also informed that their monthly salary will be deducted and that they will be receiving P7,830.

"We want to know the reason for this delay. They have been promising us pero wala. Misulti sila namo nga sweldoan mi pero naa na'y deduction nga dako kaayo. Asa naman ang hustisya ani nga wala pa man among sweldo," Zafra said.

Zafra said the mayor, including city budget officer Edgar Mabunay and city accountant Viluzminda Villarante, refused in granting their salaries despite their agreement with the Office of the Ombudsman.

Yesterday, Zafra and her fellow non-teaching personnel went to the office of Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas to ask him if he was aware of the memorandum of their termination.

Zafra said that if the board will terminate their services, they are willing to step down. "As of long as wala'y termination from the BOT, our services continue," Zafra said.

For his part, Gullas said during their meeting last May 26, the BOT did not discuss about the termination of the non-teaching personnel.

"I think it's unfair nga six months na nga wala pa sila gi-sweldohan," Gullas said, adding that the city ordinance says only BOT has the authority to hire and terminate their services.   (FREEMAN)