RIGHTSIZING | Marcos must address corruption instead of laying off government workers, says group

July 18, 2022 , 02:35 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(July 18, 2022) – Instead of rightsizing, the administration of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. should address issues related to corruption to save up on expenses in government operations and spending, an organization of government workers suggested on Monday.

Santiago Dasmariñas Jr., the president of Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees, echoed concerns over the feared layoffs in public offices once the rightsizing takes effect.

“If they want to cut costs, bakit empleyado ang tatanggalin? Marami naman (ibang puwedeng gawin). Huwag na natin ilayo. Corruption na lang mismo,” said Dasmariñas on One News’ Agenda.

Last week, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the economic team will propose a measure on rightsizing that will be endorsed to lawmakers on the first day of the 19th Congress on July 25. It seeks to determine the optimum manpower that the government would need in every agency.

DBM secretary Amenah Pangandaman estimates that the government could save roughly P14.8 billion by removing 5% of redundant positions in public offices.

“Affected personnel may apply to positions that will be created as an effect of the rightsizing. The government will also provide a retooling program for personnel so they may apply in vacant positions. Those who opt to retire will receive appropriate retirement benefits,” said Pangandaman.

Figures from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) showed there are at least 2.3 million government workers, as of August 2021, according to Dasmariñas. Around 582,000 of them fall under job order or contract of service.

Dasmariñas said government employees who are in low positions might be most affected by rightsizing, urging the administration to eliminate corruption instead to help save funds.

“You only want P14.8 billion samantala ang PhilHealth (Philippine Insurance Health Insurance Corporation), P15 billion, at saka ‘yung collection of taxes, real estate taxes (na umabot sa) P203 billion, as reported,” said Dasmariñas, referring to the unpaid estate taxes of the Marcos family. “Bakit hindi ‘yun ang unahin na kolektahin?”

In his first executive order, Marcos already abolished the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, calling them “duplicates” of other departments.

In May, the Philippine Statistics Authority said the unemployment rate shot up to 2.93 million or 6% of the labor force. At least 6.67 million sought additional working hours due to insufficiency of salaries, reflecting a 14.5% underemployment.

Aside from addressing corruption, Dasmariñas added that the government can tap the intelligence funds as a possible funding source.

But the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the proposal must go through the proper channels, noting that it is not the prerogative of the executive branch alone.

“Totoo na meron talagang dapat i-observe na protocols pero the services should not suffer. Medyo dapat tayong way of approaching ng particular concern ng manggagawa,” said DOLE secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.

(PM)

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