DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman urged the heads of agencies to prioritize contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in filling their respective vacant plantilla positions in government.
In a press briefing at the DBM Central Office, the Secretary shared that out of the total 2,017,380 plantilla positions in the national government, 92 percent are filled, while the remaining eight (8) percent (equivalent to 168,719 positions) remains unfilled.
“8 percent— that’s 168,719 positions unfilled pa. We encourage our department heads to absorb ‘yung mga JO and COS natin when they fill in these unfilled plantilla positions. I-prioritize
natin sila,” Sec. Mina said.
Secretary Mina also highlighted the recent issuance of the Commission on Audit (COA)-DBM Joint Circular No. 2, series of 2024, providing the extension of the transition period on the engagement of COS and JO workers in the government. The Joint Circular provides that the departments/agencies may engage the services of new COS/JO workers through individual contracts and renew the individual contracts of their existing COS/JO workers until December 31, 2025.
The move follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to extend the transition period on the engagement of the COS and JO workers in government whose contracts will expire in December this year.
“Bakit po kailangan ito? Para po hindi sila matanggal sa trabaho. And at the same time, madagdagan pa po ‘yung kanilang work and educational experience,” Secretary Mina said.
“So, with the extension of until December 31, 2025, we are giving them a chance na mapalago pa ang kanilang experience and even their educational experience para makapasok sila doon sa mga bakante na position sa national government. Marami po ‘yan. Kung titignan niyo po, parang kulang, pero sa isang department po, marami po d’yan ang unfilled positions,” Sec. Mina added.
To recall, President Bongbong Marcos earlier instructed government agencies to implement strategies to assist COS and JO workers in qualifying for permanent positions. Among the strategies being considered is to implement programs, such as review sessions, to help their respective COS and JO workers pass the Civil Service Examination. In addition, skills and capabilities of the COS and JO workers could be developed by reeducating and training them, thereby, enabling them to pass the Civil Service Examination.
COS refers to the engagement of the services of an individual, private firm, other government agency, non-governmental agency, or international organization as a consultant, learning service provider, or technical expert to undertake a special project or job within a specific period.
Meanwhile, JO refers to piece work (pakyaw) or intermittent or emergency jobs to be undertaken for a short duration and for a specific piece of work.
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