150 contractual MMDA workers to lose jobs soon

More than 150 contractual employees of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will lose their jobs as part of the streamlining program of the agency.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando announced the reduction of the number of employees last Friday during the weekly flag retreat.

Fernando explained that the move was the result of his review of all the units and divisions of the MMDA since his assumption of office more than a week ago.

The review determined which of the contractual employees, classified as "Job Orders," has already completed the purpose for which they were originally hired.

"All of the affected JOs were only hired to do specific short-term duties," Fernando said.

Fernando assured all the affected employees that they would be on the top of the list of people to be considered when the MMDA decides to hire new employees again.

However, he warned that any attempts to stage protest actions against his decision would take away the privilege of consideration for future hiring.

He added the JOs who have been in service for several years already would be given due consideration for re-hiring.

Since his assumption as MMDA Chairman, Fernando has vowed to clean up the agency.

The limited budget of the MMDA has forced Fernando to take cost-cutting measures the first of which involves the JOs.

On the part of the traffic enforcers, Fernando said that there are no plans to hire new members because the MMDA is short of funds. — Marvin Sy