Talisay councilor questions Pag-Ibig deductions from job orders' wages

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Romeo Villarante yesterday questioned the alleged deduction of Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-Ibig contributions from wages of contractual or job order workers without documentation.

Villarante made the clarification when the council was discussing other matters of the day’s business.

In an interview after the session, Villarante, who is a practicing lawyer, said that at least five job order workers approached him recently to air their concerns on the matter.

The councilor said that although he has no problem with making all the workers at the city hall contribute to Pag-Ibig, what concerns him is how they were made to pay without even being asked to sign some Pag-Ibig papers.

He said a certain amount was deducted from the wages of job orders who only have a one-month contract.

Villarante said if all of the city’s more than 1,000 job orders are paying every month, then that’s a lot of money already.

“Way problema kung deductionan, basta lang naay proper documentation,” he said.

A job order, who is assigned at the city hall, confirmed these reports, and said the city hall started deducting P200 every 5th day of the month from his meager salary since August last year.

He claimed he did not recall ever submitting an application form for Pag-Ibig membership before August or even until yesterday.

Meanwhile, city treasurer Emma Macuto denied the allegation, saying job orders sign Pag-Ibig papers before deductions are made.

Also, only those job orders that serve at least six months have been granted Pag-Ibig membership, Macuto said.hat thief can’t be found. –(FREEMAN)