Rep. Alexie Tutor wants the study of Civil Service Commission on contractualization and job orders be finished by January 2023 so it can be included in at least 11 bills ending Endo in government. Problem is contractualization is tolerated by politicians who hire their staff to replace those not loyal to them.
Rep. Alexie Besas Tutor urged the Civil Service Commission to complete its study on addressing contractualization issues affecting over 660,0000 contractual and job order personnel nationwide and local officials and staff in the government.
Tutor, who chairs the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation, said her committee approved in principle, 11 bills ending Endo in government.
In a press statement, she asked the CSC to complete the study so that the findings and recommendations can be considered in at least 11 bills on contractualization in government.
It was very clear in the hearing of the House committee on civil service and professional regulation that our colleagues in Congress are adamant about ending endo in the national government and local government, she said.
There is a strong consensus in the committee and we have the support of many of our colleagues in the House.
The budget implications of ending public sector contractualization will be partly addressed by regularizing those who have served for over five years and already have met most of the qualification standards, especially the educational and training components.
These vacant positions are budgeted every year in the annual appropriations. Keeping them unfilled distorts the national and local budgets.
In fact, the CSC will notice that many agencies and LGUs have not hired any new people to fill in the vacant regular plantilla positions.
EQUIVALENCY, CHED, DEPED
She suggested that the CSC take into consideration the Philippine Qualifications Framework Law (RA 10968). The equivalency approach should also be factored in because this can partly address educational requirements in the civil service qualification standards.
Equivalency already exists as an established means to “substitute” years of experience and other factors, For decades now, equivalency has been one of the alternative means of CHED and DepEd to measure competence and learning. Equivalency can be used to credit years of experience, awards, training, and performance ratings. Equivalency should suffice to address the CSC fitness and merit standards.
CSC should develop its equivalency system and align it to the equivalency systems of CHED and DepEd. Under a CSC equivalency system, the CSC should recognize the equivalency certifications issued by CHED and DepEd.
I also suggest to the CSC that it take a firm stand on filling up all tens of thousands of vacant regular plantilla positions in government. There must be a clear and sustainable phased program to fill up all the vacant positions.
These vacant positions have become “milking cows” for the mid-year and year-end bonuses and incentives distributed among the regular government employees. Some vacant positions are also being reserved for personnel nearing retirement. By keeping the vacant positions open, agencies and LGUs are also able to free up some funds for the hiring of consultants. These matters are a big part of the problem and a real obstacle to ending endo in government. These issues have cropped up time and again during the budget hearings including the hearings for the 2023 budget.
I ask the Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education to submit recommendations to Congress on how their equivalency programs, graduation from senior high school, and completion of junior high school can be applied so that JO/CS personnel can meet the college education qualifications.
Tags: #Endingendoingovernment, #House, #contractualization