Capitol JOs dismayed over delayed wages

MISAMIS Oriental Job Order (JO) employees cried foul recently over what they called unreasonably delayed payment of their salaries.

Although the Capitol’s treasurer admitted that there have been delays in the payment but said these are intermittent incidents.

One of the JOs, who requested to be anonymity, said they have yet to receive proper compensation for the services they rendered.

“Permi naman ni gaka hitabo sa amoa nga ang sweldo namo mga JO gaka delayed ug isa duha ka bulan,” said one of the JOs, adding that some of them have yet to receive their salary for the month of January.

“Maypa ang mga regular on time ilaha sweldo, kami guina langan. Pareho ra man mi trabahante unta,” claimed another JO.

She said that due to the delays, some of them have opted to pawn their Automated Teller Machine cards to lending firms in order for them to continue working and provide for their family needs.

“Kapila ko na naprinda akong ATM kay ga lisud lagi ko ug budget. Ang uban sad namo galisud sulod trabaho kay gaka short plete ug pang gastos namo sa inadlaw kong mag duty me,” said Jane (not her real name).

In an interview, Provincial Assistant Treasurer Serena Saarenas said the delays in the salary of JOs are on a “case-to-case” basis citing the requirements, processes, and proper documents needed before their salaries could be released.

“Most probably mga kulang sa documents supporting sa ilahang payroll like DTR, permado sa ilahang department heads mao nang numero uno, and ilahang appointment for new JOs. Pero kong ma complete nila [requirement] amoa gyud na i-release,” Saarenas said.

However, Jane said they are aware of the requirements.

“Naa may requirements kailangan namo mahuman, usa kini sa maka langan kay medyo daghan-daghan siya. Kung dili namo matiwas o kuwang siya matigway gyud among sweldo,” Jane said adding “bisan maka pasa ka, gaka hitabo pa man gihapon.”

But despite the delays in their salary, the JOs counted themselves lucky that they received their bonuses last year on time.

Jane remains optimistic that the new administration would find a solution to solve this problem and stop it from being a “common occurrence” as this issue isn’t new with their salaries already happening even before the new administration.

When asked why other JOs salaries are given on time same as regular employees she implied there is no special treatment and pointed out they might have already complied with the necessary documents needed for processing and were cleared by the accounting office, then it will be forwarded to their office for finalizing and releasing.

“If mo abot na ilahang papeles gikan sa accounting meaning ana kompleto ilahang gi pasa ayha pa dayun namo pwede ma-release,” Saarenas said.

Stressing that as long as the JOs provide the necessary documents for processing they will receive their salaries on time.

She also disclosed that under the leadership of Governor Peter Unabia, they are formulating improvements in the processing of all employee salaries employed by the capitol to streamline the process.

“Daghan pang agian nga offices before mo abot sa amoa for finalizing, but under sa leadership ni Gov amoa kini ga pangitaan ug pamaagi nga ma-streamline ang process aron maka likay sa delays,” she said.

Saarenas urged the JOs who have yet to comply with the necessary documents to complete them so as to avoid delays in the near future.