Total Reorganization Plan Marañon eyes retrenchment of Capitol workers

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines - some of the more than 2,000 employees of the provincial government may be retrenched when a total reorganization is implemented starting on the 3rd quarter of this year, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the other day.

It's because the present number of employees is too many and a downsizing is needed to "put the right people in the right job" for effective services to the people, the governor said.

For example, the Provincial Engineer's Office will be downsized but other departments like the Provincial Health Office (PHO) will have additional employees, he said.

Provincial administrator Enrique Pinongan earlier said that some offices may be merged or abolished as there might be some that will be found redundant or non-functioning during the assessment.

There are Capitol employees who are happy with the looming reorganization, but there are others who would like to avail of the voluntary early retirement this year, Marañon said.

"Those who would like to retire early are assured of benefits and compensation due them based on their number of years in government service," he said.

Yesterday an employee from the Provincial Engineer's Office has filed for an early retirement and the governor approved it.

Marañon also said a Manila-based consultancy firm has offered its services to the Negros Occidental government for the implementation of a total reorganization. "We want consultants that are not from here to avoid biases," he said.

The governor however has yet to request the Provincial Board to authorize him to declare a total reorganization.