‘SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALISTS’ | PCOO says it has cut down contractual workers from 375 to 305

July 12, 2021 , 11:31 AM

By Kiko Demigillo

(July 12, 2021) – The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Sunday defended its hiring of hundreds of contractual workers, saying some have already been let go after several projects were completed.

PCOO assistant secretary Kris Ablan said they have already trimmed down their contractual employees from 375 to 305.

“Some of the programs have been completed so the number has decreased. But we are still reviewing the contracts so the number may still go down,” said Ablan on DZBB Super Radyo.

Ablan clarified the issue after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the PCOO’s “unrestricted and massive” hiring of contractual personnel last year, amounting to over P70.6 million in salaries. COA said the amount “could have been used for other programs and projects of the government.”

Ablan said most of the contractual workers were hired for the creative and production teams for additional manpower. He also assured that the PCOO didn’t hire them to serve as online trolls.

“We needed to supplement our personnel because we initiated additional projects,” said Ablan. “They need to submit a means of verification. The hyperlink to their outputs should be there so we can see that they are real persons, that they are not ghost employees.”

Ablan earlier called them “social media specialists.”

According to COA, the number of contractual personnel accounted for 70% of PCOO’s total workforce and 260% higher than its 114 regular employees.
Ablan, however, justified it, noting the government’s information campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The delivery of the services of the PCOO especially during the time of the pandemic is considered very crucial and the hiring of COS (contract of service) workers is essential in order not to hamper the delivery of its basic services,” said Ablan.

Nonetheless, the PCOO said it is implementing a “budget cap” to manage the hiring of contractual personnel, requiring offices to submit an organizational structure to ensure nothing’s excessive.

Vice President Leni Robredo also flagged the 375 contractual workers hired by the PCOO last year, pointing out that the entire Office of the Vice President only has 300 employees, including 21 contractual workers.

“Hindi ko ma-imagine ang 375. Kapag inisip ko may plus 375 kami, ang laking bagay noon for any office. Ang dami-dami mo nang puwedeng gawin,” said Robredo in her weekly radio show.

Ablan said they have already requested the addition of more fixed positions in the PCOO so contractual employees can become regular workers. (PM)

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