200 OCD workers face ax over budget cuts

MANILA, Philippines - Close to 200 contractual employees of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) are in danger of losing their jobs because of budgetary issues confronting the agency, a source said yesterday.

A defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has significantly reduced the OCD budget this year, allegedly due to the agency’s low absorptive capacity. 

“But the budget (for 2013) was only given to us July last year. We had limited time to spend it. The unused funds were returned,” the source said.

The official said the failure to finalize their organizational structure has aggravated the problem.

Because of lack of funds, the OCD might be forced to lay off around 200 casual employees, including utility personnel and those who do clerical work in its national and regional offices.

Sought for comment, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesperson Mina Marasigan said the DBM has committed to release the salaries of 182 contractual workers. 

“We made representations with the DBM and congratulations to us, their service will continue until September. They will be renewed,” she said.

Marasigan said the casual workers’ contracts would have ended yesterday.

Still in danger

However, the contractual workers could still lose their jobs if the OCD organizational structure is not finalized by September. 

“We aim to make them regular employees before their contract ends. We are now finalizing our organizational structure. We will just position our people after that,” Marasigan said. 

“If the structure is not completed by September, either they will be laid off or we will ask for additional funds,” she added.

OCD administrator Alexander Pama said he is confident that the government would address the issue.

“In fairness, the government is helping us. It is seeing what can be done. But I am also following what is in the law,” Pama told reporters in an interview. 

“(The employment of casual workers) cannot go on if there is no funding source,” he added.

Pama admitted, though, that the lay-off could have a significant effect on their operations. 

“We lack personnel and we also need to improve our capacity in terms of personnel. It will have a huge effect,” Pama said. “I’m hoping that it will not come to pass but again my hands are also tied. We have just to do things in accordance with the law.”

Reports about the OCD’s budget woes came as the Philippines is observing the National Disaster Consciousness Month, an event that highlights the importance of building resilient communities in promoting development.