Bacolod City regularizes longtime job order workers

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Government has regularized several longtime job order (JO) workers, marking a milestone for employees who have spent decades in public service and reflecting the administration’s commitment to recognizing dedication, dignity, and hard work.

Among those granted regular employment is Ronnie Cordova, 57, who has served the city for 34 years as a JO worker assigned to the City Engineering Office–Special Services Division.

Cordova is part of the plumbing team responsible for repairing and replacing artesian well pumps in various barangays upon the request of the city government.

He expressed gratitude to Mayor Greg Gasataya, describing the regularization as an unexpected and unforgettable Christmas gift.

“After such a long time, we were finally regularized. This is something I will never forget,” Cordova said, recalling that the announcement came as a surprise while they were on field assignment.

Cordova said he and his colleagues initially feared they might have committed an error when they were called to meet with the mayor.

“We didn’t know the reason. I even thought we had done something wrong,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Andrew Bisquerra of the City Engineering Office–Public Works Division, said the regularization was a meaningful blessing for their families, especially during the holiday season.

Mayor Gasataya said the move is aligned with the city’s policy of prioritizing long-serving JO workers whenever plantilla positions become available, provided they meet performance standards.

“Our policy is to prioritize Job Order workers who have served Bacolod for a long time, whenever there are available opportunities,” Gasataya said.

“Length of service is one factor, but we also carefully review their performance before hiring them as regular employees,” he added.

Gasataya said the regularization process depends on the availability of positions and the number of JO workers who have consistently demonstrated dedication and competence in their duties.

Earlier, during a flag-raising ceremony at the Bacolod City Government Center, the mayor also announced the regularization of three other longtime city workers.

They were identified as Ritchie Opao with 42 years of service, Vicente Candar with 35 years, and Cesar Zuniega Jr. with 32 years.

The move was described as recognition of their decades of quiet service across different city administrations.

The recent regularizations underscore the Bacolod City Government’s continuing efforts to uphold dignity in public service and to honor workers whose long years of service have contributed significantly to the city’s development. (BCCO)