40 NFA workers to lose jobs this Jan.

published January 27, 2009 in Leyte Samar Daily Express and BusinessWorld

TACLOBAN CITY — Around 40 rank-and-file employees of the National Food Authority (NFA) in Eastern Visayas stand to lose their jobs this month as the agency implements its personnel rationalization plan.

The grains office will abolish redundant positions as part of the agency’s cost-cutting measures, said Rebecca Ada, NFA regional administrative officer.

She said they expect no resistance from the employees in this region because many of those affected have been planning to retire from government service.

"We served notice to affected workers late last year but we’re still waiting for their feedback," Ms. Ada said in a telephone interview. The workers were given 60 days to decide on the notice.

The NFA-Employees Association in Metro Manila has protested the plan and urged the government to stop the implementation of Executive Order 366, which would trigger the abolition of hundreds of rank-and-file positions in the NFA.

The Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Achievement of Government Employees (Courage) disclosed that around 800 NFA workers nationwide will be affected by the scheme.

Among the affected personnel in the region are those in marketing assistance as well as clerks, statistical aides, utility workers and laborers.

Ms. Ada said that employees have the option to stay in government or retire from government service.

Affected employees who have been in service for 31 years or more are entitled to an incentive bonus equivalent to 100% of their basic salary while those with 20 to 30 years of service will receive 75% of their basic salary. Employees who have served for less than 20 years but for more than 3 years will be entitled to 50%.

"If they will decide to continue working in the government, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) is tasked to place them in other agencies," she added.

Under Executive Order 366 issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004, she instructed the "scaling down, phasing out or abolition of functions, programs and projects that duplicate or unnecessarily overlap with other activities within the government."

Also listed are those that directly compete with those of the private sector that can be done more efficiently and effectively by said sector and those which have been devolved to local government units.

The Department of Budget and Management together with the CSC were asked to coordinate the implementation of the rationalization program. — Sarwell Q. Meniano