Suspension of 29 Taft employees void

By ALICE NICART (PIA Borongan)
November 25, 2006

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  Attorney Rodolfo Encajonado, Director IV of Civil Service Regional Office 8 issued recently the decision declaring the suspension of some 29 municipal employees of Taft Local Government Unit as "void".

The 19-page decision of Encajonado dated October 27, 2006 further directed the municipal mayor of LGU-Taft, Eastern Samar " to reinstate immediately Roberto Lim, et. al, to their respective positions and be paid the corresponding back salaries from the date they were actually denied payment thereof and dropped from the rolls until their actual reinstatement".

It may be recalled that the employees were suspended from their official functions when they went on "absence without approved leave" as claimed so and in effect were not paid of their salaries since 2005.

In an interview before with some of the suspended employees, they lamented that the mayoral seat was still being contested then, that they were not sure where and which office to report to. They further admitted that as government employees they are duty-bound to serve the public whosoever assumes and functions as their local chief executive. In truth, another employee said they are the ones who suffered most, morally, mentally, emotionally and financially. To be terminated from work and be out of their office for no valid reason at all is a very traumatic experience because all their years of service have been dedicated to true service, the employees agreed.

Through times, (until very recently) the problem has hounded the suspended employees. A mother-employee feels devastated that her suspension has caused her child to stop college because of financial crisis in the family.

Today, however, there has been music to the ears of the 29 employees when they learned of the Civil Service Decision in their favor. Asked how they feel, they answered they have no remorse or ill-feeling whatsoever. What they now have in mind is to return and continue their work exactly where they have left them several months ago.