JOs in Mandaue, Cebu City face uncertainty

CEBU, Philippines — Uncertainty looms among job-order (JO) employees of Mandaue City and Cebu City as the transition to a new administration on July 1 draws near, raising fears that their contracts may not be renewed under the incoming leadership.

In Mandaue City, city administrator Jamaal James Calipayan said that following the May 12, 2025 midterm elections, many JO workers approached his office, worried about losing their jobs by June 30.

“By June 30, mo-end atoang appointments sa atoang mga job-order employees. So therefore, ang mo-appoint sa next nga mga JOs will be the new administration,” Calipayan said in an interview with reporters yesterday.

Currently, there are more or less 3,000 JO employees hired under the present administration.

He said that those who have worked with them for years are saddened by the uncertainty surrounding their future.

However, Calipayan expressed confidence in the resilience of the Mandauehanons, saying he believes they will find ways to support their families by finding other jobs.

“Mandaue City is a developing city, a very rich city, so daghan og masudlan nga mga trabaho nga makapadayon sila sa ilang panginabuhian,” he added.

Calipayan noted that while the current administration under Glenn Bercede --who is now vice mayor-elect-- and other reelected councilors under Team Mandaue may renew some contracts, not all workers will be retained.

He explained that most of the JO employees were hired under Bercede’s leadership.

Calipayan further explained that even the winning officials under Team Mandaue can only help to a limited extent.

“Klaro man ang balaod --the appointing authority will be from the local chief executive,” Calipayan said.

He also clarified that not all JO employees are guaranteed to be dismissed under the new administration.

“I don’t know what their policy will be,” he said.

He added that the hiring or retention of JO employees will depend on the discretion of the incoming administration.

Calipayan mentioned that some departments may request the new administration to retain certain individuals, and there may be offices --whether local or national-- that will appeal to keep JO personnel who are essential to their operations.

“But again, it will all depend on the new administration,” Calipayan reiterated.

Following the announcement on Monday that Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano won the mayoral race against Jonas Cortes, some employees reportedly lost motivation to report for duty the next day.

However, Calipayan, as city administrator, urged them to continue working.

“Ako silang giingnan nga padayon og trabaho kay daghan ta og tiwasunon,” he said.

Calipayan emphasized that their official last day in office is still on June 30, so they must continue to perform their duties until then.

“Dili man ni mohunong ang siyudad inig human sa eleksyon,” he said.

He added that he encourages employees to continue reporting for work, especially as department heads observed that some have lost motivation, reminding them that Bercede’s administration is still in place and will remain until the actual transition to the Ouano administration.

Meanwhile, in Cebu City…

In Cebu City, the Human Resources Development Office (HRDO) said that amidst the confusion surrounding the employees’ fate, no instructions have been given to them. However, they admitted that the contracts of JO employees will end this June --just in time for the new administration to take over.

HRDO head Henry Tomalabcad said that the fate of the casual employees hangs by a thread, as their contract renewals will begin on July 1, 2025 --the same time the new administration will assume office.

He added that most casual employees have signed six-month contracts to coincide with the election period that brings in the new administration. Because of this, Tomalabcad said they must wait for the new administration’s decision whether or not these contracts will be renewed and whether or not the employees will continue working in City Hall.

As for department heads who don’t hold regular positions, Tomalabcad also could not give any assurance that they will be retained during the transition. For regular employees, however, Tomalabcad said they are protected by the provisions of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

He added that it is possible for a department head with a regular position to be transferred, but this depends on the decision of the new administration.

He also noted that certain positions for department heads cannot be changed, as they are based on the item under which the employee was hired.

Aside from this, Tomalabcad said that employees who are coterminous with the city mayor will be affected. As for protocols, there are 11 coterminous employees with the mayor who will be appointed by the mayor himself.

Among the most crucial coterminous positions that the mayor will appoint are the Cebu City administrator and the city legal officer, which are considered “highly confidential”.

Currently, Tomalabcad said all they can do is wait for the policy direction of the new administration, adding that the entire workforce in City Hall is committed to working with the incoming top executive official.

Aside from this, Tomalabcad assured that there are guidelines from the CSC that will serve as the basis for employment decisions.

Currently, there are more than 3,600 employees in Cebu City Hall, some of whose appointments will end on June 30, 2025.

As for the JO employees, who are project-based, Tomalabcad also said that the new administration will decide their fate.

Last Monday, the canvassing of Cebu City votes concluded, and Mayor-elect Nestor Archival was proclaimed the winner. His running mate, Tomas Osmeña, was also proclaimed vice mayor elect. — /BRP (FREEMAN)