Unpaid for 3 months now: Execs’ conflict stalls brgy workers’ pay

CEBU, Philippines -  The employees of Barangay Sambag I, Cebu City are asking the Cebu City government for help because they have not received their salaries for three months already.

Release of salaries was stalled due to “partisan conflict” between Barangay Captain Aileen Guardo and members of the barangay council, forcing Sambag employees to borrow from loan sharks just so they could feed their families.

In a letter to Mayor Michael Rama, engineer Roger Reyes, representing the rest of the Sambag I’s workers, said the conflict started after majority of the council opted not to approve the appointment of officer-in –charge treasurer Conie Abella, who replaced Filomeno Chuntic last May 1.

“The ruling members still refused to act or even attend sessions called specifically for the resolution of the conflict. Thus, putting in great peril the payment of our salaries for the month of July, which is a very crucial month for monetary needs because having missed our two months salaries, we resorted to borrowing money at usurious rates from anywhere we can get them and we promised to pay our creditors starting this month of July,” read part of Reyes’ letter.

“Your Honor, you can just imagine the ire, frustration and hardships of our poor constituents. We cannot just close our eyes to this great misfortune that could have surely been…prevented! This nightmare should not be happening in your term, to your very constituents and your service workers in Barangay Sambag I…” it added.

Without the barangay council’s concurrence, Guardo and Abella could not cause the release of the salaries.

“Unable to pay the electric bills for several months, our Day Care Center has been without electric power for weeks now…our offices and service vehicles (have) bogged down for lack of essential fuel and supplies,” Reyes said.

Abella had made a representation before the barangay’s depository bank for the salaries, but the checks were not honored due to the lack of a barangay resolution “allowing her to be a signatory in lieu of a permanent treasurer duly concurred by the SB.”

In response, Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella, a lawyer, said “the authority to appoint a barangay official and employees is conjoined in character, which means the appointee of the barangay captain must have the concurrence of the majority of the council.”

Last week, Labella met Sambag I barangay officials together with the city attorney and advised them to set aside their difference for the sake of their constituents and the barangay workers.

“I have called both parties—the (barangay) captain and the members of the council. I made an admonition that they should put their acts together because they are elected by the people to serve the constituency of barangay Sambag I,” he said.

Labella said the conflict in Sambag I was just a “petty matter” that needs to be resolved by the respective officials.

He said he will again meet the concerned barangay officials next week to iron out the matter, considering that bills have not been paid and salaries have not been given to the employees yet.

“We humbly cannot find the superlative words to stress the importance of getting our salaries on time. We can only say, ‘Please help us,’ with a great hope backing us for redemption,” added the letter.— /RHM (FREEMAN)