By CESAR JOLITO III

Around 1,900 job order (JO) workers have been officially endorsed and are now working under the administration of Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya, even as the city government implements tighter controls on hiring to address budget constraints.

In a press conference earlier this week, Gasataya confirmed that a skeletal workforce arrangement remains in place across several departments while the city reviews available funding for the full deployment of JO personnel.

Based on data from the city government, the total number of JO workers is estimated to be between 3,600 and 4,000.

However, Gasataya clarified that the full deployment of these workers is expected to be completed within the week.

“We are looking closely at which offices genuinely need more personnel, and which ones can still function efficiently with a leaner workforce,” Gasataya said, noting that such a move could result in significant savings for the city.

To ensure proper management of personnel, the mayor emphasized that only JOs with official endorsements are allowed to report for work.

He also denied circulating claims about the hiring of volunteers, reiterating that all personnel must be covered by proper documentation.

A memorandum has been issued to department heads, directing them to strictly enforce this requirement.

In line with internal accountability measures, Gasataya added that, while drug testing among JO workers is voluntary, the city encourages those under contract to undergo testing as part of its campaign for a drug-free workplace.

The city government’s current efforts reflect a more deliberate and cost-efficient strategy in managing human resources as Bacolod navigates financial limitations while ensuring public services remain uninterrupted./CJ, WDJ