DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The government cannot yet afford to regularize employees in government who work under contracts of service or job orders.
This was the apparent message of President Rodrigo Duterte when asked what the government plans are for the workers in government who are job orders, talents or casual in status.
“I have yet to buy the printing press that can print money plenty. In other words, at this time of our national development, we are not as yet ready to assume the burden of providing everybody with the salary that can compare with the, and even in the matter of managerial level,” Duterte said.
He said unlike private companies, the government employs “millions of workers”.
“You know, it would be incongruity to discuss it fully. And you keep on asking until now there are thousands of casuals in government. You know, government provides employment kung maaari lang thousands upon thousands of employees to run the state. Iyon kanila ba naman, ilan lang, 500 (You know, government provides employment if possible to thousands upon thousands to run the state, while they only have a few, 500). We employ millions,” he said.
Duterte said as the country progresses more employees are also needed, however the income of government “is not that good.”
“Maybe in the fullness of God’s time,” he added.
In an interview with the Inquirer last week Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said there are about 16,000 workers in the private sector who were regularized since Duterte assumed power on June 30.
But Duterte said if there is no graft and corruption in government, the lives of the people will be better.(davaotoday.com)
