By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has made an assurance to the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE) that he would act on their petition against Human Resources Management Officer (HRMO), Atty. Anabelle Palic.

According to Lacson he currently doesn’t like the issue to be publicized as it is an internal matter.

However, he revealed that he had asked provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, to look into the matter.

Diaz, meanwhile, said that Palic had been relieved from her post and has been reassigned to the Office of the Governor. Replacing Palic as HRMO officer-in-charge is Felomina Guzon.

PACE had forwarded a petition earlier this week calling for Palic’s relief. The complaint stemmed over allegations that several employees of the provincial government who have approached them claimed that they were “de-credited” when they underwent quarantine due to COVID-19.

PACE President Renelo Lastierre said that since they are risking their lives in order to serve the public, they believe that the Civil Service Commission (CSC) does not allow deductions during the quarantine period.

Complaints have also surfaced from retirees, wherein they claimed the HRMO is requiring them to submit 10-year copies of their Income Tax Returns which he explained the retirees can hardly produce.

Lastierre pointed out that the HRMO itself should be the repository of these official documents.

“This is too much of a requirement, because some of the employees here are unable to have their documents signed by their former bosses who are no longer with us,” Lastierre said.

The PACE head also pointed out such clearances are also not necessary anymore for retirees’ retirement claims.

“Several retirees have not received their GSIS retirement benefits yet because HR is not endorsing their papers. She held their papers that’s why they cannot yet enjoy the fruits of their labor,” Lastierre said.

He also bared that several health workers who are exposed to danger in this time of the pandemic are also complaining of delayed travel allowance, longevity pay and even unreasonable transfer and discrimination.

Several job order employees are also complaining of delayed salaries./DGB, WDJ