Gan questions hiring of 435 ‘job orders’ at city hospital

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

COUNCILOR Leon Gan on Monday urged the city council to start an investigation into information about the hiring of 435 “job order” workers at the city hallun JR Borja Memorial General Hospital.

Gan said he obtained documents from a “reliable source” that the number of “JOs” in the city hospital has reached 435.

He did not say who his “reliable source” is but he cited a newspaper column that also cited a nameless “reliable source.”

“Last week, I read a column from a local newspaper… but never mind the column… I can get a document with the pre-approval from the City Mayor’s Office. This pertains to the hiring of additional 450 job orders,” he said.

He said the city council that approved funds for the salaries and wages of all city hall workers have the right to ask and be enlightened.

Gan said the city council should have been informed about the hiring of 435 “job orders”.

“Asa padulong kining 450 ‘job orders’ sulod sa city hospital? We need to have an inquiry so that we will be enlightened. If they can prove and justify that there is basis for the hiring of this number of ‘job orders,’ there is no problem,” Gan said.

He said he has no problems with hiring workers as long as they could ensure better public services.

After the city council session, he showed documents  about the JOs submitted by hospital overseer Dr. Ramon Nery.

Gan said the certification of fund availability was made by City Personnel Office supervising administrative officer Ma. Lourdes Baculio, acting city treasurer Ramon Antonio Mendoza, city accountant Beda Joy Elot, and Mayor Oscar Moreno.

He said JOs were hired for the period of July 1 to Aug. 31, 2017.

Councilor Maria Lourdes Gaane, chairperson of the city council’s health committee, said the city hospital is serving an average of 200 to 300 patients daily, and the number explains why there was a need to beef up the hospital’s working force.

“Dili ra man na siya ingon nga mga nurses but apil na niana ang mga doctors, nurses, midwives going to janitorial, incluiding those assigned in the administrative section. Since it’s a 24/7 facility, then it is practical,” she said.

Gaane said the source of funds for the JOs were taken from the Trust Fund–Philhealth (JR Borja General Hospital).