Zambales board blocks Magsaysay revamp plan

IBA, Zambales—The Sangguniang Panlala­wigan (SP) has withdrawn its support for the reorganization proposed by Gov. Vicente Magsay­say, because he has not submitted a management study to justify a revamp of the provincial government.

In a resolution co-authored by Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain 2nd and SP member Renato Collado, the provincial board unanimously questioned what offices Magsaysay wanted abolished or created, the cost of terminating capitol employees and the source of the fund for the payment of the compensation package.

Magsaysay reportedly wants to abolish more than 200 positions at the capitol in a bid to cut some P29.66 million in the annual budget.

A source said the capitol has a workforce of 857 and Magsaysay wants this reduced to 653 so that the provincial budget can be trimmed from P114.96 million to P90.47 million.

Lacbain said the provincial board had earlier adopted Resolution 2003-11 in January 2003 authorizing the governor to immediately reorganize the capitol in accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations and the Local Government Code of 1991.

According to Lacbain, the resolution repealing Resolution 2003-11 was adopted last week because the provincial board did not receive a detailed management study regarding the proposed reorganization.

“We fully support the reorganization but it should be based on civil service laws, rules and regulations and the local government code and additionally a detailed management study to fully explain the justification for the reorganization,” Lacbain told The Manila Times.

“What we’re after is the assurance that whoever will be affected will be paid in full and not partial in order for these displaced government employees to start an alternative livelihood,” he added.

There are 18 provincial offices and departments in the province to be affected with the proposed reorganization including new offices to be created and personnel of some offices and departments to be reduced by almost 50 percent.

By Patrick Roxas , Central Luzon Bureau Chief