By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Around 20 job order and contract of service employees in various departments of the Negros Occidental provincial government have been laid off for various infractions.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said yesterday that the employees were cited for various infractions such as tardiness, absences and lack of dedication to their work as recommended by their respective department heads.

Diaz added that the involved employees were disciplined numerous times.

He told the department heads to allow their employees to prove their worth and value to the organization, and the contribution of their work.

“We can’t just hire [people] out of mere compassion. Others who are really working will also be affected. They may think that it is okay to be lazy and timid at the workplace. That is not the message the governor wants to send to employees,” Diaz said.

He added they want their employees to be productive contributors to their governance.

The administrator said their termination was not an immediate decision, as proper procedures, evaluations and reconsideration will be followed.

He added that they are doing it in the most humane and compassionate way, as they were given a chance to mend their ways.

The provincial government currently has around 2,000 job order and contract of service employees./DGB, WDJ