SB says he will review contracts of casuals

Although the employment of almost 5,000 contractual workers expired yesterday, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said he would evaluate their respective performances to determine if they should be rehired or not.

"The fact of the matter is everybody’s contract has expired. Now we want to selectively find out whether the local government needs their services or they just duplicate each other," said Belmonte, who officially assumed office yesterday.

Belmonte said the review of the contracts will determine if the services of each employee are necessary in the effective management of the city. Those who were hired merely for political accommodation will not be retained, Belmonte said.

At the same time, Belmonte said he would look for other sources of revenue for Quezon City to ensure the delivery of basic services despite the city’s reduced Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) this year.

Belmonte noted Quezon City’s IRA this year will be smaller than last year because 10 new cities getting their IRAs will reduce the shares which older cities used to get.

The IRA is 40 percent of the nation’s internal revenue collection, which is divided among provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays with different percentages.

"We have to look for other sources of revenues, aside from the fact that we have to improve tax collection from business establishments in the city," Belmonte told reporters yesterday.

Belmonte formally took over as mayor from his predecessor Mayor Ismael Mathay Jr. during simple ceremonies yesterday.