THE Mandaue City Government has begun requiring biometric registration and an ATM-based payroll system for all City Hall employees, including job order (JO) workers and contractuals.
The twin reforms aim to tighten attendance monitoring and streamline the salary disbursement process.
This shift follows a July 1, 2025, memorandum issued by Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano, mandating strict adherence to official working hours and the daily submission of attendance records to the Human Resources and Management Office (HRMO).
It is grounded in Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and covers all employees, including those stationed in barangay offices.
Employees are likewise instructed to wear their official ID cards during duty hours to ensure proper identification in public transactions.
On Thursday, July 31, City Hall workers, particularly from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, started lining up for biometric registration. The new system will eventually replace the manual Daily Time Record (DTR) still being used.
ATM
Alongside this, the City is preparing to implement an ATM-based payroll system, with Land Bank as its partner.
Although the system is not yet in place, City Administrator Sally Malig-on said it will be rolled out “as soon as possible” once all new hires, especially JO workers, have completed their onboarding and bank account setup.
“We are very conscious of the time when it comes to disbursing salaries. There are some payrolls that are already long overdue, and the vouchers are also delayed. I even signed a voucher that was from as far back as March or April. It’s really delayed,” Malig-on said.
The current payroll process, which is voucher-based, often involves delays and manual handling.
In previous cycles, some personnel were reportedly authorized to collect salaries on behalf of their colleagues, a practice that, while unverified, the city wants to discourage to promote transparency.
“It was observed that sometimes only two people would collect the payroll for their colleagues. That’s the practice we want to eliminate,” Malig-on added.
To prepare for the transition, all existing JO workers are now required to open bank accounts, while new hires will be integrated directly into the ATM-based system.
Malig-on said it would take a little time, but they are making progress.
He mentioned that he had already signed payrolls for the period of June 15 to 30, which means the processing at their level is now less than a month behind.
He expressed hope that the improved pace would continue. / CAV