The Bohol provincial government faces an unprecedented job crisis following a verbal order from Kit Oppus, head of the Provincial Human Resource Management Office (PHRMDO), that all co-terminous employees are deemed terminated due to the death of the appointing authority.
The confirmation of leadership vacuum was relayed to affected employees thru a statement from Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Secretary Boni Quirog.
Oppus’ verbal order comes amid a period of leadership crisis in Bohol, with the province grappling with both the 6-month suspension of Governor Aris Aumentado and the recent death of Vice Governor Victor Balite.
“Important Update/Advisory: Our office has just been advised by the PHRMDO that all co-terminous employees are deemed terminated by the death of the appointing authority,” Quirog stated in a message circulated to staff. “Much as we want to do otherwise, this has been the difficult situation that we found ourselves in with the unfortunate combination of the ‘suspension of our beloved governor and death of our beloved vice governor’.”
The decision affects Legislative Staff Assistants (LSAs) and potentially other job order employees at the SP, impacting the legislative body’s ability to function effectively.
LSAs typically play crucial roles in supporting Board Members, including drafting legislation, conducting policy research, and providing legal services.
The mass terminations have sparked concerns about the continuity of government operations in Bohol.
Critics argue that the sudden staff reduction could hamper the SP’s ability to address pressing local issues and carry out their legislative duties.
The situation is further complicated by the pending assumption of office by Acting Governor Tita Baja and OIC Acting Vice Governor Benjie Arcamo.
Their ability to quickly reconstitute the necessary staff support may be critical in maintaining government functions.
Some observers have called for provincial leaders to seek immediate intervention from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Manila to find a swift resolution to the staffing crisis.
Quirog indicated that a formal written memo or advisory providing more details on the situation would be forthcoming. This document may offer clarity on the scope of the terminations and any potential measures to mitigate the impact on government operations.
As the province navigates this unprecedented situation, questions remain about how long key legislative and administrative functions may be disrupted and what steps will be taken to ensure the continuity of essential government services in Bohol.
Provincial officials have yet to publicly comment on plans to resolve the staffing issue or on the potential long-term implications for local governance in Bohol.