THE employment status of Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) general manager Mario Macatangay is being questioned by the Utilities Consumers Alliance of Negros (Ucan) before the Board of Directors.
This came after Ucan received information that Macatangay’s 37 years of service at the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) will be shouldered by Baciwa when he retires from the water utility firm.
In a letter dated February 1 addressed to the Baciwa Board, Ucan president Fr. Ernie Larida said they are not questioning the wisdom of the Baciwa Board in hiring Macatangay, but they just want to clarify some matters regarding their hiring procedure related to Macatangay's employment status with LWUA.
Macatangay was first appointed as interim general manager on August 2014 during a crisis that stemmed from the suspension of his predecessor Juliana Carbon, who retired in October last year.
He assumed the post of general manager on December 1, 2015 upon the approval of LWUA where he previously worked as its acting division manager.
Larida, in his letter, asked the Board if Macatangay has resigned from LWUA before he accepted the offer of Baciwa to be its general manager.
“Was it a lateral transfer of the employment of Macatangay from LWUA to Baciwa?” he asked.
Larida said they also would want to know Macatangay’s monthly salary from LWUA and the position he last handled before accepting the position in Baciwa.
They also inquired about Macatangay’s salary as general manager and if he has other emoluments, allowances, financial, and non-financial benefits.
The Baciwa Board has yet to comment on the queries of Ucan and Macatangay, who is currently in Manila and will be back on February 8. (CNC)