MORE than 4,000 employees of the provincial capitol will begin receiving their salaries today, August 4, but with a twist: they will be paid in person, over the counter.
Designated Provincial Administrator Angel Lim made the announcement today during the weekly flag-raising ceremony. The move, he said, was a direct order from Misamis Oriental Gov. Juliette Uy.
“Mangatawa ‘ta today, this is long much awaited, gitrabaho nato’g maayo, our governor is exercising extraordinary prudence and diligence on safeguarding the funds of people,” Lim said.
The provincial administrator added: “Makasugod nata ug dawat sa atong sweldo.”
Lim explained that the governor wants to personally see each employee receiving their salary, excluding members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Vice Gov. Jeremy Jonahmar Pelaez.
Uy reportedly noted that while the capitol has more than 4,000 employees, only about 300 are present at each flag-raising ceremony.
Lim said it is the accountability of each office head to account for their people, saying, “How can they go to battle when you don’t know their strength — their people.”
The administrator said the delay in the salary release was due to the governor’s careful review of the process.
“Nagmatngon sya’g maayo, gi meeting ug maayo ang mga tao, gikan sa bangko, mga head of offices,” he said.
The salary distribution will take place at the Unity Hall, and employees, including those with job orders and casual appointments, will also be paid personally. This includes employees from various hospitals in the province.
“Atong gi request nga muapil (SP employees except board members and vice governor) and this is part of our check and balances, naa mana sa atong system of government. While they have separation of power, they also have check and balances,” Lim said.
Lim emphasized the governor’s request: “to ensure that ang atong mga swelduhanan pud, ato gyud makita gyud.”
He said the over-the-counter payment method will be for two months only and asked for employees’ patience.
“Please bear with us,” Lim said, adding that the process will allot time for each department and is a “minor inconvenience.”
The governor was with newly elected mayors and officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-10) for a forum in a local hotel earlier today.
As for the capitol employees, they expressed mixed feelings about the new over-the-counter salary distribution, with some accepting the hassle while others feared further delays.
All employees interviewed by the Gold Star Daily requested anonymity for fear of administrative repercussions or further delayed salaries.
One employee said the salary distribution was set to begin at 1 pm, today, August 4.
“Wala mi trabaho mahimo kay maglinyaha didto sa Unity Hall,” said France.
According to France, those who cannot personally receive their salary will be considered “ghost employees.”
A regular employee named Marie, a mother, said the payment method was acceptable as long as they were paid.
“Okay ra man gihapon nga OTC importante nag sweldo gyud pero mas hassle man siguro kay mas dugay mahuman siguro,” she said.
However, Danilo, a single father, said the new system would cause additional delays, given the number of departments at the capitol.
“Based sa ilang gi announce ganina, by department daw ang release tapos, muagi pa pag una kang Gov. Uy ayha dayon sa cashier. Mahuman ‘ta ini’g sweldo sa Septembre,” he said.
Danilo hoped the system would only be for this month, adding, “Isa ra ang klaro, nadugay na ang sweldohan, mapadugay pa gyud. Manghinaot na lang intawon ‘mi nga karon lang ni like, after ani, balik na unta sa normal kay apektado na gyud kaayo ang mga empleyado sa sabong between the governor ug Sangguniang Panlalawigan.”
He said most employees are now without sufficient funds for their needs.
“Kung sumadahon, wala na’y sapi ang mga tawo diri pwera na lang siguro sa mga dagko’g sweldo. Lisud gyud sa amo nga part kay igo ra man mi musunod na lang sa ilang gusto,” Danilo told the Gold Star Daily.
