Gov’t workers urge review of IRR of Mimaropa Act

A group of government workers from Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan (Mimaropa) urged President Duterte on Saturday to revisit the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law establishing the region.

The group claims that the provision mandating the transfer of Mimaropa regional government offices from Metro Manila to Calapan City was not only inconvenient but also “costly” for the public.

After more than a year of seeking dialogue through official channels, Mimaropa government workers expressed on Sunday their concerns over the relocation of regional offices to Oriental Mindoro’s capital city.

They pointed out that the public would have a much harder time to access government services.

Gerson Taoingan, head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Employees Union-Mimaropa, said that Metro Manila remains as “the most economical and efficient” option, especially in the absence of infrastructure and transportation connecting the four islands.

Under the IRR of Republic Act No. 10879, or the Mimaropa Act, which was signed in December 2016 by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and former Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno, Calapan was designated as Mimaropa’s regional center. This means that government offices would have to be set up or relocated there.

Taoingan said that the move from Metro Manila, which to date has yet to be fully realized, would prove to be detrimental to the public since they may incur an additional P1,000 in transportation expense alone.

“If you are in Palawan, you will have to ride a car, ferry, and bus to reach Calapan. The fare alone for the back and forth is very expensive. The people of Mimaropa will not benefit from this transfer as it will be ineffective and more costly for the public,” he said.

Taoingan said that Mimaropa government workers might be forced to quit their jobs or to uproot their lives because of the transfer to Calapan. He added that it was also unclear how the government intends to support workers who will opt to move to Mindoro.

Courage national president Ferdinand Gaite explained that because of the peculiarity of the islands which comprise the region, it is better for its government offices to stay in Metro Manila.

He urged President Duterte to review the IRR as it appears that this was “not a well-thought-out plan.” /ee