Unpaid Danao casuals to get their due

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu fifth district Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI has assured the release of P3.1 million representing the salaries of the casual employees of the Danao City Vice Mayor’s Office who were not paid for their services as environmental watchers in the different barangays of the city.

According to Rep. Durano, his office is now coordinating with the Department of Budget and Management and Commission on Audit for the use of his Priority Development Assistance Fund.

“Nangita gyud ta og pamaagi nga makatabang sa atong mga kaigsoonan nga casual nga empleyado nga wala gyud mahatagi sa ilang suweldo,” said Rep. Durano.

Earlier, Rep. Durano criticized his uncle, Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. for his failure to release the salaries of the casual employees.

Rep. Durano issued the statement before the 250 casual employees during the distribution of 25 kilos of rice, one for each of them, at the Severo Duterte Memorial Elementary School in Barangay Suba, Danao City, saying the present administration is still adopting “old world” politics.

He said Mayor Durano has ignored the court order directing him to release the salaries of the casual employees.

“Ang mga empleyado mao’y nabiktima sa ilang kabuang, kon tinarong pa unta sila mutuman unta sila sa balaud,” said Rep. Durano.

He said the distribution of 25 kilos of rice is part of his solution to the problems being faced by the concerned employees.

Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III said that his brother did not follow the proper way of handling affairs at City Hall.

He said in the case of the 250 casual employees, the implementation of the projects was done without the approval of the city council.

Mayor Durano maintains that he does not want to pay the salaries of the casual employees because he believes the allocation is illegal.

His lawyer Gloria Dala-wampu said that the insertions for the salaries of the casual employees in the budget were unlawful.

Dalawampu said that the casual workers were not included in the proposed budget for 2012 since their services have ended. — (FREEMAN)