Talisay administrator blasts critics: ‘They have no right to question slashing’

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes said there is no definite number of job order workers assigned under the Office of the Mayor since their contracts are to be made out only in case of local projects.

"We cannot give them the numbers as the City Council requested. Sa akong nahibalo-an wala'y permanent numbers ang atong job order workers sa mayor kay depende na sa services needed by the city," said City Administrator John Yre De los Reyes.

John Yre defended his father-mayor after the City Council passed a resolution asking the mayor to render a report to the Council on the number of job order workers assigned in his office, including the list of confidential assistants and consultants.

The Council passed a resolution after the mayor slashed the numbers of job order workforce assigned at the Vice Mayor's Office and for City Councilors, to allegedly avoid what they said was an impending fiscal crisis and not to compromise government projects and services.

The mayor's decision came after the recommendation of the Commission on Audit during their exit conference last week, pointing that the city should adopt austerity measures by downsizing the number of workers.

But  some Council members believe the move has something to do with politics. They said they needed to know the total number of the mayor's job order employees so they can make a comparison if  there was indeed fairness in the mayor's action.

John Yre said the Council has no authority to ask as to how many job order personnel are assigned to the Office of the Mayor because they are only project-based.

John Yre pointed out that under R.A. 7160, local chief executives are allowed to hire emergency or casual employees or laborers paid on a daily wage or piecework basis and hired through job orders for local projects.

John Yre explained that the Council has no right to complain if  their quotas for job order workers are slashed.

"Ang paghatag og job orders ngadto nila is the prerogative of the mayor. They were allotted before out of sympathy of the mayor," John Yre added.

John Yre reminded the Council that job order personnel are "not covered by civil service and administrative rules and regulations due to the non-existence of employee-employer relationship."

Pertinent civil service rules and regulations stated that job order hires are not government employees performing regular functions; and no employee-employer relationship exist between the concerned personnel.

John Yre said that job order personnel can be terminated anytime, even without cause and prior notice because they are not considered government employees. (FREEMAN)