Unpaid JO workers seeking salary pay

The previous administration of Cebu City is facing claims of unpaid salaries involving five job order (JO) employees, with allegations that they were required to get an “endorsement” first from former councilor and Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) chairman Joey Daluz for an appointment tied to their payment of wages.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo/RAE

Last Wednesday, two former JO employees of Cebu City Hall—who requested anonymity—came forward to the media to raise these grievances. They further expressed that they felt exploited during the election and haven’t been paid for their hard work.

Speaking on behalf of three others, the two workers narrated that they were hired in October 2024 under the Coastal Management Board (CMB), with the promise that they would receive salaries for November and December. According to them, all five of them were approached by their focal person in the barangay.

They added that they were enticed to join, as others had already been hired under the Barangay Affairs Office (BAO), and those salaries were paid on time. “Giignan rami nga nang hire og JO. Eager kaayo mi,” one of them said.

They were paid their entitled wages for around two months under the CMB, which amounted to about P500 per day or around P10,000 per month. Their job descriptions included assisting with the distribution of aid for senior citizens and vendors, among others, in the barangays.

“Wala mi nag expect nga di na to ma-continue kay padung baya election,” they further said.

By January, they were told to get another endorsement for their appointment, as the CMB refused to take them in. It was at this time that they were informed the endorsement must come from Daluz, which led to their transfer to the office of Gubat sa Baha, with the same job responsibilities.