MINDANAO Development Authority (Minda) employees’ six-month contracts of service were terminated with less than a month’s notice effective last September 16.
The memorandum issued by Minda chair Emmanuel Piñol issued last August 26, was leaked to the media on Sunday, September 22. This memo was issued more than a week after Piñol formally took over the chairmanship last August 18.
The order states that all contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) personnel hired under former Minda officer-in-charge lawyer Nathaniel Dalumpines will be terminated, which took effect exactly a week ago.
All directors, division chiefs and unit heads were directed to properly notify COS and JOs under their supervision.
Minda, meanwhile, issued a statement on Monday afternoon, after the internal memo was leaked to the media.
“The internal memo, signed by Minda Chairman, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on August 26, 2019 was a guidance to Minda Directors and Division Heads on the review of contracts and terms of references of previously-hired COS personnel, and indicating end of their engagement effective September 15, 2019,” Minda said in a statement.
“The same memo also directed Minda Directors, Division Chiefs and Unit Heads to submit requirements for COS and JOs with respective Terms of Reference (TOR) by August 31, 2019,” Minda added.
The agency said the internal memo seemed to have been “leaked with malice”, adding that there was nothing “irregular” on its content.
“The exercise of such function to effect pre-termination of COS and Job Order contracts with due notice, and pave the way for review of terms of reference is legally within the prerogative of the head of office,” Minda said.
Minda also said the memo was issued last September 12, advising its COS and JO personnel not to report for duty starting September 16 until a new contract is duly executed, was also consistent with existing guidelines of the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit and Department of Budget and Management (CSC-COA-DBM).
SunStar Davao contacted CSC but regional director Adams Torres is still on official business leave while the Department of Labor and Employment opted not to comment for it is out of their scope.