Amid employee’s attendance ‘anomaly’: Garcia revokes DTR exemptions

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has directed to revoke all the biometric exemptions at the Cebu City Hall following allegations of unfilled daily time records (DTR) of some employees.

Garcia announced this order before the media during a press conference yesterday, June 10, 2024.

Garcia said he has instructed the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO), and the Office of the City Administrator on the revocation of the DTR, which he said would be effective immediately.

Garcia, however, clarified that this does not mean that nobody in the City Hall will no longer be issued with the exemptions. He said those who desire to apply for such shall approach his office personally to manifest their intent and to justify the exemption.

“That’s clear. Basta, I have revoked all biometric exemptions. But of course, they can reapply or they can come to me,” said Garcia.

He added that among the requirements to reapply is a letter of justification for their exemptions.

The revocation came after allegations last week that the department head of Management Information and Computer Services (MICS) has been receiving his salary without going to work.

The allegation has circulated on social media, but has been denied by MICS head Dante Villor Arcilla.

A Facebook page named Cebu Updates posted an allegation of a DTR “scam” inside the Cebu City Hall.

The post specifically mentioned Arcilla, whom they alleged to have received a full salary without any biometrics entry.

“Atong gihangyo ang Civil Service Commission ug Office of the Ombudsman nga tanawon ni ang DTR scam sa Cebu City Hall kay dili ni mahimo ni Dax Arcilla kon walay kakunsabo sa HRDO ug sa Mayor's Office,” the post reads.

The same post, that has empty DTR record attached, also urged an investigation against Arcilla.

In an interview with reporters, Arcilla clarified that the attached photo of the post was a record from last year and was a DTR document that was yet to be filled out.

Clarifying his routine, Arcilla said he is “never off work,” saying that he works 24 hours a day. He added that he reports personally to the city mayor and the city administrator, whom he added can attest to his attendance at work.

Further elaborating his job description, Arcilla said his work is to set up the right information infrastructure for the city. Aside from this, Arcilla added that it is also his job to set up the right direction in terms of applications and systems that the city will be using.

Arcilla said it is also his job to set up the proper system so that the city's data cannot be stolen and also to set up the right policies and guidelines.

“That is my job, dunay 8 to 5 ana? That is 24 hours. Ang hackers maghuwat na og alas singko? Adto na sila sa kadlawon,” said Arcilla. — (FREEMAN)