Talisay to house ATM for payroll

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government will soon find it "easier to transact business" if the City Council will give it the green light to launch the first ATM payroll system with the Landbank inside the premises of City Hall.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante already instructed the committee on laws and the committee on finance to study the proposal of Councilor Dennis Basillote.

Basillote passed a resolution seeking to give authority to Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Landbank to open and maintain a payroll fund account, which shall be the source of funds for all payroll requirements for City Hall employees.

According to Basillote, the City Hall employees currently transact business with Landbank only at its main branch office on P. del Rosario Street in Cebu City.

"Withdrawals of salaries by employees become open to risk considering the distance it takes to travel," Basillote said, adding that opening a Landbank ATM within premises of the City Hall for employee payroll purposes will be safe and reasonable.

Under the MOA, the city will avail of Landbank facilities, which can be utilized for paying employee salaries, such as ATM accounts for regular employees; cash card accounts for contractual employees; and installation of an ATM machine within the premises of the city.

The city "shall open savings payroll accounts with ATM access for its 308 personnel and employees with which shall have an initial and maintaining balance of P100 per account. For additional ATM payroll account to be opened for an employee, Landbank will be advised in writing," it said.

Basillote said the Landbank already expressed its desire to open facilities in Talisay subject to terms and conditions. (FREEMAN)