Capitol contractor seeks clarification

CEBU, Philippines - After having been extended for another two months for their services, LBP manpower services visited the provincial Capitol this week to clarify the release of the pending salaries of their employees.

Caezar de Guzman, area coordinator of LBP manpower services, the company that provides clerical and other office staff to the province, said that they needed to seek clarification from the province on allegations that they would not be able to collect the salary of their employees due to the absence of billing statements.

De Guzman explained that someone called their office, who they believe is also connected with them, and raised the concern of the salaries being withheld and if it is due to the absence of billing statements in the capitol.

However, de Guzman said that they have all the billing statements from a year ago, from when they started providing services for the province.

De Guzman presented all billing statements to the Acting Provincial Treasurer Manny Guial.

After a discussion, Guial assured de Guzman that they will be assisting them in tracing all the billing statements with the province.

De Guzman said Acting Governor Agnes Magpale also assured them that they will be paid the P18 million remaining balance.

Last Monday, Magpale and LBP services signed a contract, extending the services of LBP manpower for the next two months.

De Guzman said that they have yet to pay in full the 13th month pay of all their 417 employees. On top of that, they have also held the salaries of the employees for two pay dates.

He explained that they had to hold the salaries since they did not know as of last payday if the province would extend their contract with their company. He added that the letter of engagement for each employee have not been released as well by the province after their contract was released.

According to de Guzman, they would need the letter of engagement  before they release the salary since it would be the basis of their collection from the capitol.

Magpale earlier said that even with a tight budget remaining in the provincial funds, they have prioritized the payment of the employees and the companies that provide manpower services to the different areas in the province so that the services would not be hampered. — (FREEMAN)