Mandaue City ‘over-staffed’

TRANSITION TEAM FLAGS ‘EXCESSIVE’ HIRING

- Kristin de Dios

The incoming Mandaue City Administrator and transition team head of Mayor-elect Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano has raised concerns over what he described as an “excessive” number of personnel employed at City Hall.

"Na-discover namo nga pagkadaghan diay og gi-sweldohan sa City of Mandaue—almost 11,000," said Atty. Sally Malig-on during a press conference on May 25, 2025.

According to Malig-on, documents provided to the transition team show the city is currently paying salaries to 10,964 personnel, of whom only around 1,000 hold regular positions.

He said the current staffing pattern includes 1,080 regular employees, 4,500 Job Order (JO) workers, 452 Contract of Service personnel, and 923 individuals under the Clean and Green program.

Mayor-elect Ouano also raised concern over the creation of a Purok Development Office (PDO), which reportedly hired 639 officers and at least 4,700 members.

Malig-on said a reduction in personnel even by a few thousand could save the city hundreds of millions of pesos annually, money that could be redirected toward essential public services.

Of the city's current workforce, 4,250 JOs receive P9,000 per month, while 923 Clean and Green workers are paid P4,500 monthly. The 639 PDO officers receive P4,500 monthly, and the 4,700 PDO members are paid P1,000 each.

Contract of Service employees have no fixed rate, with salaries based on qualifications.

Malig-on said the city could have saved at least P150 million a year if a more rationalized hiring policy had been in place.