Tuesday, April 01, 2008 Water district manager gets text threats By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO City Water District (DCWD) general manager Rodora Gamboa has been receiving threats through text messages accusing her of being a "terrorist" to the employees of the office.
In an interview at her office Monday morning, Gamboa said she started receiving hate text messages late last year when the management decided to terminate nine casuals for some infractions.
She said one text message told her to slow down in running DWCD, as she is just new to the position. Gamboa was officer-in-charge of DCWD since March 2006 and was later appointed as the new general manager in January 2007.
Gamboa said another text message accused her of being a "terrorist." Aside from the hate messages, she also experienced having her vehicle's tires pierced with a nail. This happened on November 2007 and February of this year.
Gamboa said she already requested a security detail from the board. However, she said she does not intend to have a full detailed security that will go wherever she goes.
Gamboa said she is hoping the "harassment" against her would stop because she is just performing her job. She said she is still open to a negotiation with the employees' union so they could settle their problems amicably.
Motion for reconsideration
The Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa DCWD (Namadacwad) was scheduled to submit their motion for reconsideration on the termination of three regular employees and suspension of 37 others on March 31.
Gamboa said she would decide whether to sustain their earlier decision or reverse it depending on the merits of the motion for reconsideration the union files.
It was learned that it was on certain points in the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CAN) that the union and the management could not agree on. The union also demanded for the dropping of charges against union employees but Gamboa said she could not do this since the complaint was already filed.
Lastly, the union allegedly demanded to renew the contracts of casual employees whose contracts were not renewed by the management.
Asked about her opinion to the appeal of Vice Mayor Sara and Councilor Paolo Duterte to reconsider the termination and suspension of the employees, Gamboa said this would depend on the merits of the motion for reconsideration.
Gamboa said she already talked with the vice mayor who expressed confidence that the DCWD management will observe due process in its decisions.
"And I also assured her that we will observe due process. Kaya if the management would not reconsider, then the employees can always go to the Civil Service Commission and later to the courts if need be," Gamboa said.
DCWD board president Ed Bangayan earlier said the board would respect whatever decision the management makes for as long as due process was observed.
"Considering that the management has the sole authority to deal with its employees in matters relating to their employment, we are leaving the matter to the management. Let the wheels of justice grind," Bangayan said.
Another board of director said they will "let all administrative remedies be followed, exhausted, and respected."
