In a statement aired over the government-run Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye allayed fears that the "freeze hiring" announced by Budget and Management Secretary Emilia Boncodin would result in government paralysis.
"We are observing austerity and we will undertake all of the means to save," he said. "But this does not mean that we would paralyze or slow down essential operations."
In her announcement, Boncodin said the "freeze hiring" was mandated by Administrative Order 103, which President Arroyo signed last Aug. 31.
"With certain exceptions" the order enforced strict compliance with Republic Act 7430, or the Attrition Law, which prohibits the filling up of positions in government vacated by resignation, retirement, dismissal, death or transfer to another office.
Exempted from the "freeze" were essential personnel like public school teachers, doctors and other medical workers, police officers and soldiers.
More than a third of the annual budget of the national government is being eaten up by the payroll for the 1.2 million state employees. — Marichu Villanueva