JOs in Mandaue, Cebu City face uncertainty

Uncertainty looms among job-order (JO) employees of Mandaue City and Cebu City as the transition to a new administration on July 1 draws near, raising fears that their contracts may not be renewed under the incoming leadership.

- Kristin de Dios and Iris Hazel Mascardo/BRP

In Mandaue City, city administrator Jamaal James Calipayan said that following the May 12, 2025 midterm elections, many JO workers approached his office, worried about losing their jobs by June 30.

“By June 30, mo-end atoang appointments sa atoang mga job-order employees. So therefore, ang mo-appoint sa next nga mga JOs will be the new administration,” Calipayan said in an interview with reporters yesterday.

Currently, there are more or less 3,000 JO employees hired under the present administration.

He said that those who have worked with them for years are saddened by the uncertainty surrounding their future.

However, Calipayan expressed confidence in the resilience of the Mandauehanons, saying he believes they will find ways to support their families by finding other jobs.

“Mandaue City is a developing city, a very rich city, so daghan og masudlan nga mga trabaho nga makapadayon sila sa ilang panginabuhian,” he added.

Calipayan noted that while the current administration under Glenn Bercede --who is now vice mayor-elect-- and other reelected councilors under Team Mandaue may renew some contracts, not all workers will be retained.

He explained that most of the JO employees were hired under Bercede’s leadership.

Calipayan further explained that even the winning officials under Team Mandaue can only help to a limited extent.

“Klaro man ang balaod --the appointing authority will be from the local chief executive,” Calipayan said.

He also clarified that not all JO employees are guaranteed to be dismissed under the new administration.

“I don’t know what their policy will be,” he said.