Talisay to Cut Down Job Order Workers

Following the recent calamities that struck Talisay City that depleted the city’s funds, the administration has decided to reduce the number of its job order (JO) workers from 2,000 to 1,400 starting next month.

“Tungod sa mga nahitabong calamity, kinahanglan gyud mag-reduce na ta sa atong spending,” said city administrator John Yre delos Reyes.

John Yre said starting November, there will only be 1,400 JOs in all departments and offices, saving the city P3.6 million every month. As of the moment, the city has around 2,000 JOs earning at least P6,000 per month or a total of P12 million monthly depletion to the city’s coffers.

For his part, city budget officer Edgardo Mabunay said the city, which is run on a P457-million budget, can sustain the monthly salaries of 2,000 JOs, it is still a prudent move to cut this number.

“Maka-sweldo ta sa 2,000 job orders kay naa man tay buffer sources, from unused funds like the salaries of the vacant positions. Pero mas maayo gyud unta nga pagamyan ni para dili kaayo ma-exhaust atong funds intended for the salaries and wages of employees,” Mabunay explained.

Meanwhile, John Yre said to implement this move, they will have to reduce the JO quotas of every councilor to 30 from the present 50. “Patas na tanan councilors,” he said, adding that even the three administration will also get the same number of job order quota.

John Yre, howver, did not say if Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante’s 600 JOs will also be cut down, but said if Mayor Johnny delos Reyes has only 300 then his vice mayor should also have the same or less.

Over the years, the number of job order employees has increased exponentially from one administration to another. Starting from former Mayor Eduardo Gullas’ 200 to former Mayor Socrates Fernandez’ more than 1,000 and now Delos Reyes’ whooping 2,000.

This situation arises when, after being elected, officials “thanked” their supporters by giving them jobs at the City Hall. Some officials, specially those with money lending business, also took the opportunity to hire under their quota those people who owe them money just so they can pay. And lately, several JOs were used by relatives of politicians to campaign for them, reportedly wearing their City Hall uniforms during the campaign.