BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: Cebu City Hall workers start receiving delayed salaries

Local

WEEKS of waiting are finally paying off for Cebu City Hall employees and barangay workers as the city government has released about 80 percent of delayed salaries and honoraria.

City Treasurer Emma Villarete confirmed on Wednesday, September 3, that her office has cleared most of the backlogged payroll that piled up while the city was left without a treasurer.

“For JOs, BHWs, barangay honoraria, and the rest paid in cash through disbursing officers, nagsugod nata release today,” Villarete said.

“For other salaries, daghan na sad ta na release when I assumed office. As to percentage dili ko kahatag, but in so far sa naa diri na pending due to vacuum, I may say nga naa nata sa mga 80% release while others are in process, like katong paid thru checks," she added.

Villarete assumed office last week as officer-in-charge (OIC) treasurer, following her designation by the Department of Finance (DOF) upon the recommendation of Mayor Nestor Archival Sr.

She assured that her office is prioritizing urgent claims while reviewing other pending transactions.

“For other procurements, nagsugod nata og pagawas but gamay pa jud kay ato gi-prioritize ang urgent. But rest assured nato ang mga claimants nga ga sige nata og process. Hangyo lang ko for time nga ma-review nato ang transactions properly,” she said.

The release of salaries comes after weeks of disruption. Former city treasurer Mare Vae Fernandez Reyes was dismissed last month after being indicted over a P239.7-million garbage hauling contract, leaving City Hall without an authorized signatory.

Archival earlier admitted that the payroll delays stemmed from this leadership vacuum.

“That’s correct. Most of the departments are affected. Basically what we need is the guy who signs,” he said. He noted that only the DOF and Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) could authorize a replacement.

Barangay responders bore the brunt of the delays, with their P5,000 monthly honoraria for June and July left unpaid.

“Pending gyud ang tanan tungod kay walay treasurer nga makasign sa cheque,” Councilor Dave Tumulak, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Finance, explained.

Some garbage collectors and contractual workers also stopped working after weeks without pay, further straining city services.

With Villarete now in office, Archival assured that payroll disbursements will return to normal.

“We have checks and balances. We have auditing, accounting, and budget offices. But basically, we need someone who can sign the checks,” he said.(TGP)