JVR suspends appointment of Manipis, Jaclupan midwives

CEBU, Philippines - The appointment of midwives in barangays Manipis and Jaclupan was put on hold temporarily by Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes as it has yet to undergo through a legally constituted Personnel Selection Board based on the rules and regulations set forth by the Civil Service Commission.

Last week, the city council approved a resolution requesting the mayor's authority for the appointment of Michael Sombol of Barangay Manipis and Cheene Cabusas of Barangay Camp 4 as permanent midwives. City Councilors, Aldin M. Diaz and Richard Francis F. Aznar sponsored the resolution.          

But city administrator John Yre De los Reyes said they cannot act on the request yet because of the absence of a PSB, the creation of which is now underway.

Section 80, Paragraph C of the Local Government Code stipulates that the PSB shall be headed by the local chief executive and its members shall be determined by resolution of the Sanggunian concerned.

"We cannot act on the request of the council without passing the PSB. We will honor their request but we have to go through the process," John Yre said, adding that they are trying to avoid legal repercussions on the administrative procedures for the hiring and promotion of deserving personnel.

He, however, clarified that they have nothing against Sombol and Cabusas as midwives in the area.

Diaz and Aznar pointed out that the work of a barangay midwife is very crucial since they are incharge of giving birth to a child anytime.

Sombol, 24, is working as a job order employee for four years now and lives in Sitio Dap-Dap, Barangay Pooc while Cabusas, 24, is a single mother of two kids, working as a job order employee for three years now and presently residing in Barangay Jaclupan.

"The midwives are qualified to be appointed permanently as midwives of the respective barangays since they are both licensed," the councilors added.  (FREEMAN)