Sagay City in Negros Occidental has appointed 10 job order (JO) workers to regular positions after serving the city government for at least 20 years.

In a statement on Monday, Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said the city aims to help long-time JO workers achieve regularization before their retirement.

“This is our flagship program, for them to get permanent status and complete benefits even though they are close to retirement age. Together with our Human Resource Management Office and Finance Committee, we have been looking for ways to help them and give them the opportunity they deserve,” he added.

The 10 regular employees, aged 62 to 65, took their oaths before Cueva at the City Mayor’s Office on Monday.

They are assigned to the General Services Office, Economic Enterprise Management Office, and City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

As regular employees, they are entitled to receive complete benefits covered by their status, initially the mid-year bonus.

They will also immediately receive clothing and medical allowances.

Cueva shared that the new regular employees told him their love for Sagay City made them stay as JO workers.

“This is the kind of dedication that should be passed on to the younger employees in government service,” he said.

Cueva said the city government is continuously finding ways to further strengthen support for its workforce.

“If the budget permits, we can continue this program for another set of deserving JO employees in the coming years,” the mayor said.

He noted that while it is not the permanent answer to all of the city’s employment concerns, “it is an important step towards providing better care and support for our employees.” (PNA)