BACOLOD City – Mayor Greg Gasataya has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a transparent and accountable city government, emphasizing that no “ghost” job order (JO) casuals will be tolerated under his leadership.
Gasataya made the statement during his first press conference as mayor on July 7 at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), a week after officially assuming office on June 30.
“It has always been a policy of then-Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, now our Lone District congressman, that there should be no ghost employees — and we will continue that,” Gasataya said.
He stressed the need for strict screening of JO applicants, noting that government funds are limited and must be used efficiently.
“I firmly believe that if you are an employee of the city, you should not just wait for payday. That is why we are being strict in screening JO applicants — because our funds are not limitless. We can only hire based on what’s available,” he added.
During his inaugural speech on June 28, Gasataya also vowed to uphold this policy.
He confirmed that his administration would continue the ATM-based salary system initiated by former Mayor Benitez for JO workers. This system requires personal appearance at the bank to secure an ATM card, minimizing the risk of fictitious names in the city’s payroll.
As of this writing, all city departments have been assigned JOs, with the current administration hiring 1,900 JO workers, significantly fewer than the approximately 4,000 hired under the previous administration.
Mayor Gasataya said the current number is still under review as they assess the available budget for JO hiring.
During the flag-raising ceremony on Monday, the mayor addressed city employees, expressing his deep familiarity with City Hall operations.
“City Hall is not new to me. I know how things work here. I’ve been around long enough to understand its ins and outs,” he said, “Kabalo ko magpanimaho sang City Hall ukon BCGC. Kahit papano, I have a complete grasp of what’s happening.“
He recalled his early connection with the local government: first visiting City Hall in 1987 as a boy councilor during Boys and Girls Week, returning in 1993 as a beat reporter for a local radio station, then serving three terms as city councilor starting in 2001, and later as vice mayor in 2013.
Now as mayor, Gasataya said he is determined to make Bacolod “stronger, together.”/PN
