|
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Customs workers rally v. early retirement
OFFICIALS and workers of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu staged a protest rally yesterday against an executive order that provides for an operations and personnel review, saying it threatens their security of tenure.
Capt. Alfonso Abarriao, chief of the Port of Cebu’s Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), said the protest was held between noon and 1 p.m. to avoid violating civil service rules.
He said that most BOC officials and employees fear they will be eased out of the service, especially those who have been with the bureau for less than five years.
Executive Order 366 directed a review of operations of government agencies in the executive branch, and provided “options and incentives” for public employees affected by the rationalization of functions.
President Arroyo issued it last Oct. 4, 2004.
Confusion
She wanted to improve government performance and institute reforms that will transform the bureaucracy into an efficient organization.
However, Abarriao said that based on EO 366, the BOC’s ESS and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) will be merged. He said this may cause confusion within the ranks, because these two offices have two sets of officers with the same levels.
Abarriao added that the Bureau of Customs Employees’ Association (BOCEA) is concerned about how the reorganization will be carried out.
Rico Mongaya, BOCEA vice president for the Visayas, said several officials and personnel are worried that the “padrino” system will influence the reorganization.
Mongaya’s colleagues, who refused to be named, said they will send a position paper to Acting Customs Commissioner Alexander Arevalo and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves to oppose the reorganization, because it will displace some of them.
As an example, they said the BOC’s Port Operations Division (POD) will be asked to reduce its number of personnel. If those affected are civil service-eligible, they may be transferred to other offices and that could lower their take-home pay.
They explained that POD personnel are receiving P8,038 in monthly salaries and an allowance of P8,038. However, they have an automatic overtime pay of P1,000 per day.
Gratuity
Those who are transferred will end up getting only P8,038 a month.
EO 366 also states that qualified workers who choose to retire from government service are entitled to gratuity. This ranges from half a month’s salary for every year of service, for those who have worked in government for 20 years or less, up to one month’s salary for every year in service, for those who have worked in government for 31 years or longer. (EOB)
(November 17, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
