by Edalyn Acta and Edith Colmo
DUE to the failure of the employees in the municipality of Panay, Capiz, to reach the 70 percent target accomplishment of the local government’s programs, projects, and activities, Mayor Vicente Bermejo did not release the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) benefit for 2022.
According to Andrew Baes, officer-in-charge of the Municipal Planning Office, Bermejo was being cautious to avoid legal impediments.
As per Circular Number 2022-4, dated December 20, 2022, of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), it stated that LGUs should have accomplished at least an average of 70 percent of
all targets under the programs/ activities/projects approved in the LGU budget for Fiscal Year 2022.
Baes also said that the employees’ organization has not established their performance monitoring system, which is one of the basis for releasing the CNA.
Further, there is no resolution from the Sangguniang Bayan authorizing the mayor to enter into the CNA with the employees.
Considering that using government funds should conform with the guidelines of the DBM, Bermejo was hesitant to release the CAN, Baes explained.
The LGU has instead released fi nancial assistance amounting to P20,000 for regular employees and P5,000 for each job order or casual employee, on the basis of calamities incurred by the town, such as Typhoons Paeng and Agaton, and the red tide.
In an early interview with Capiz Times with Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Jonathan
Besa, he said the unspent budget for the 100 vacant positions in the municipality is enough for the CNA benefits.
The CNA source of funds is Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), and it is mandated by law that such benefits be given to the employees, he said.*
