Private security guards back at Antique capitol

Tricycles are seen passing by the New Antique Provincial Capitol in San Jose Street, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique. PHOT FROM PINASMUNA.COM

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Security guards manning the Antique capitol and other provincial edifices were back to duty on Wednesday.

Antique provincial information officer Galileo Magbanua, in an interview, said the services of the High Profile Security Agency were re-engaged after they had been assured of their pay.

“The 53 security guards will be paid under the provincial government’s reenacted budget,” Magbanua said.

He said the High Profile Security Agency won in the bidding that was conducted by the provincial government for security services this year.

To recall, the security agency pulled out its 53 security personnel last Jan. 22 due to the delayed approval of the 2019 annual budget in the amount of P1,421,418,085.

“The security guards will be paid under 2018 Annual Budget reenacted because until now there is no approved 2019 Annual Budget,” he said. Last year’s budget was P1.310 billion.

Magbanua said the security guards, aside from securing the new and old capitol buildings, also man the provincial and eight district hospitals and other provincial government buildings.

“The provincial jail guards were supposedly not allowed to secure the capitol because of a Commission on Audit rule but because of the sudden pull out of the security guards that they were temporarily assigned there,” he said.

The COA ruling provided for the jail guards to take care of the inmates at the jail facility and not to secure the capitol building.

Magbanua said the provincial board deliberation of the budget on Thursday is much awaited by everyone, especially by the more than 1,400 job order employees who until now work on a voluntary basis due to the non-renewal of their contracts because of the delayed budget approval. (PNA)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here