Ex-urban poor welfare employees cite BO-PK loyalty as cause

For over a decade, 54-year-old Cynthia Luces reported to work at the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) on time.

Despite her contractual status as a clerk, Luces, a widow, said she worked hard at her job to support her four children.

Thus it was no small shock for Luces to learn that she and 14 other contractual workers lost their jobs last Friday.

The former DWUP employees only learned about their relief at 10 a.m. last Friday.

In a notice dated June 28, they were advised by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama “not to report for work” effective July 1.

“You are hereby notified that the Cebu City government no longer needs your services. The city would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the valuable service,” the mayor said.

“What shall I do? What have I done wrong?” said Luces, one of six employees who aired their grievances in a press conference held yesterday at the Pagtambayayong Foundation Inc. in Cebu City yesterday afternoon.

The foundation is headed by former city administrator Francisco Fernandez, who along with other administration Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) allies, is at odds with Mayor Michael Rama.

Massive revamp

Aside from Luces, the 14 DWUP employees whose contracts were not renewed were Pio Mergal, Sarah Wee, Jemar Frias, Filomena Lumagay, Imelda Remuete, Gerardo Vano, Wilbert Alo and George Luces.

Also dropped from the DWUP were Edmund del Puerto, Romeo Orocay, Romulo Ababa, Elbeth Perez, Enan Navotas and Calixta Abella.

The former DWUP employees suspect that their contracts were not renewed because of their loyalty to BO-PK founder Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.

Rama used to be with the BO-PK before he bolted the party due to a feud with Osmeña.

Prior to last Friday’s State of the City Address, the mayor said there will be a movement of personnel and officials as part of a massive revamp of Cebu City Hall.

Luces said she went to the mayor’s office for an explanation last Friday but she was unable to talk to the mayor.

Instead, she met DWUP chief Collin Rosell, whom Luces said was unable to answer her.

Luces also talked with the mayor’s cousin captain George Rama of barangay Basak-San Nicolas, who told her he doesn’t know anything about it.

“I don’t care if I lose my job as long as I will know the reasons behind it,” she said.

Ahead of time

Luces said she is a staunch supporter of Osmeña and the BO-PK.

A photo of Osmeña is placed outside her house in barangay Pahina San Nicolas, Cebu City.

She said Rama should not remove them from work just because they are known BO-PK supporters.

“I even campaigned for Mayor Rama during the last 2010 elections. The mayor even told us to focus on our work and not to allow his rift with Osmeña to affect us,” she said.

Cynthia said they should have been informed ahead of time that their contracts won’t be renewed.

The 15 displaced workers signed a six-month contract that ended last June 30.

“We haven’t done anything wrong. What will happen to us? All we want is work. We have families to take care of,” said Luces, who has four children and an  88-year-old mother to support.

Calixta Abella, a consultant in DWUP, was disappointed with the nonrenewal of her contract.

Loyalty payment

She said she was in the frontline when Rama had his pulong-pulong during their campaign for the 2010 elections.

“For the past 18 years, Rama was loyal to the BO-PK. I’m always loyal to the BO-PK,” she said.

Another employee named Filomeno Lumayag said he wanted to get his loyalty payment of P10,000.

Lumayag worked at City Hall for the past decade.

“I’m really a BO-PK supporter. What can we do, the administration belongs to them (Rama’s camp). All I want is an alternative livelihood,” he said.

Being a supporter of Osmeña and the BO-PK, Lumayag said he expected that his contract won’t be renewed by Rama.

“We, the ordinary laborers, we’re just hit in the crossfire. Other casual employees who support the BO-PK will eventually lose their jobs,” he  said.

In an interview, Fernandez said he will do all means to help the 15 displaced workers.

“We will definitely help them. What was Mike’s basis in not renewing their contracts?” Fernandez told reporters.

Among the best

Fernandez, whose foundation filed administrative charges against Rama and two other officials in relation to the clearing operations of Mahiga Creek, said the 15 former City Hall employees were among the best in DWUP.

He said the DWUP in Cebu City is considered among the best in the country for providing “security of tenure” to at least 38,000 families.

“Was performance the reason for the nonrenewal of contracts? I could hardly believe so.  For the past 20 years they are doing okay. How come it’s only now when these employees were deemed to have failed to perform well in their work?” Fernandez said.

Fernandez said Rama didn’t do anything illegal in not renewing the contracts of the 15 former DWUP employees.

“Legally, we can’t question him. However, he should have given a bit of consideration to the needs of these people,” he said.

The former city administrator also criticized Rama for the short notice given to the displaced workers.

In a phone interview, Rama said he only acted upon Rosell’s recommendation.

The mayor denied claims that the nonrenewal of the contracts of the 15 employees had to do with their BO-PK loyalties.

A matter of direction

Rama said there was nothing personal in his decision in granting Rosell’s recommendations.

In a separate interview, Rosell said renewal of contracts is a “matter of direction.”

“We can’t force somebody to renew their contracts especially if what was agreed upon has expired. Reasons are not needed,” Rosell said.

He said political affiliations of the 15 former employees were “outside of the subject matter.”

He said the nonrenewal of contracts was due to the performance evaluation of the 15 DWUP employees.

“Their performance was not that convincing. The DWUP is just like a dumpsite. Segregation is needed and that (nonrenewal of contracts) is the effect,” Rosell said.

Reconsideration

He said the DWUP office in Cebu City is too small to have several employees.

He said DWUP has a workforce of over 60 employees.

“I assure you that the persons left are better than they (15 displaced employees),” Rosell said.

He said there are still employees in DWUP who are BO-PK supporters.

He criticized the 15 former employees for presenting their sentiments in a press conference yesterday.

Rosell said the employees would have sought for a reconsideration.

He said if ever DWUP will need workers, the office will prioritize to call the 15 displaced workers.

“We need to have competent employees. They are the ones destroying themselves,” he said.