Tomas gives BHWs one more month, tells them to reapply

CEBU, Philippines - Some 500 barangay health workers in Cebu City whose services were ordered terminated by Mayor Tomas Osmeña were given one month extension.

Osmeña met the BHWs yesterday at the City Hall and told them that he is giving them one more month to work with pay. At least 250 BHWs from the north district met the mayor in the morning and the other 250 from the south district in the afternoon.

The mayor also announced to the BHWs that they can reapply but will undergo proper evaluation, which will be led by City Health Officer Dr.  Alma Corpin.

Apart from such announcement, the mayor called for a meeting to reportedly make the BHWs understand why the city government under the new administration is implementing all these changes at the City Hall.

Reiterating his previous statements, Osmeña told the BHWs present yesterday that the city is currently in a great financial problem and has a deficit of P6.2 billion.

He said he wants to minimize the city government's use of money as much as possible.

Also present in the meeting were Osmeña's wife, Councilor Margarita "Margot" Osmeña, Councilors Nida Cabrera, Alvin Dizon, Francisco "Bimbo" Fernandez, Sisinio "Bebs" Andales, Eugenio Gabuya, Jr. and Mary Ann De Los Santos, also deputy mayor for health services.

According to Margot, the city received a notice from the Department of Budget Management that it is spending more than what it is earning. This was also why the cash assistance gi-ven to BHWs went down from P7,500 last January to P5,500 in May this year.

Gabuya said that with the deficit, the mayor is finding means to address the financial issue of the city.

"Mao na si Mayor Tom nangita'g paagi nga maka-recover 'ta og ma-stabilize sa finances. Ang usa sa kausaban mao ang pag tan-aw nga ang mga tao nga gigastohan, tinuod ba g'yu'ng gisweldohan," he said.

BHW head Jeffrey Duenas said they are very happy with the one month extension given to them.

"Confident man sad mi ug ang akong mga kauban nga sa evaluation puhon, makapasar jud mi," he said. (FREEMAN)