BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Retired employees of the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) sought the assistance of city officials of Bacolod regarding the release of their retirees’ incentives (RI) amounting to P165 million, accrued from November 14, 2020.
Newly installed Baciwa general manager Mona Dia Jardin yesterday said she will tackle this issue in a meeting with the management of the water utility firm this week for recommendation of the Baciwa Board.
In their letter to Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia thru Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran dated May 2, the retired Baciwa employees said the issue has been brought before the Office of the Government Corporate Council (OGCC) that had rendered a legal opinion on Aug. 31, 2021 which established that the 90 retired employees have to be paid their RI amounting to P165 million.
The letter was signed by Roberto Quebrar, Claudio Salmo, Randolf Guintos, Enrique Abanilla Jr., Sl Adlaon and Roberto Reyes.
Jardin said they have just received the Department of Budget Compensation Circular No. 13 dated March 25 which provides new guidelines concerning the payment of RI.
The retirees RI was not released due to conflicting opinions between the DBM and OGCC that led to a disallowance by the Commission on Audit, she said.
They are still waiting for the interpretation of their legal counsel of the DBM Circular regarding the rate of the amount to be given to the retirees, Jardin said.
She will meet with the retirees to explain the matter with them. They are not running away from their obligation, but recognize their incentives, she said.
Meanwhile, Jardin said she was appointed by the Baciwa BOD as general manager on May 13 and that she plans to focus on evaluating and monitoring the performance of Prime Water to see if it is following the provisions of the Joint Venture Agreement with the water utility firm.*
