DBM approves PMO reorg plan

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the reorganization plan proposed by the Privatization and Management Office (PMO) in 2011.

Under the reorganization program, the PMO will retain its core functions, programs and services.

The privatization office will also implement shifts in its policy directions by assuming other functions.

For instance, the PMO will also assume and carry out the functions of the Board of Liquidators (BOL), an agency which the PMO absorbed in 2005 pursuant to an Executive Order 471-directed merger.

“Thus, the PMO will be administering and disposing properties transferred to the government, settling conflicts of claim involving former enemy-owned or alien properties, extra-judicially attaching and repossessing properties of delinquent Reparations Commission end-users, and closing the books of accounts of the BOL and its abolished corporations,” the Department of Finance said.

Furthermore, as part of the reorganization, the budget department proposed the abolition of 187 positions in the PMO. Instead, it authorized 76 positions, four of which are new.

According to the budget department, the new staff size reduces the appropriation of PMO to P27 million or 40.15 percent less than its personnel services budget in 2011.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the reorganization would attract highly qualified professionals to the PMO.

Affected personnel may choose to avail of the retirement and separation benefits under existing laws.

PMO will also compute the incentives for affected personnel who may be opt for such retirement or separation benefits, the budget department said.