Gasataya Hires 1,900 Job Order Workers in Bacolod

By Glazyl M. Jopson and Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The city government under newly installed Mayor Greg Gasataya has hired at least 1,900 job order (JO) employees as part of its initial workforce deployment.

Gasataya confirmed that appointments for the new hires will be finalized within the month, with their names already submitted to the appropriate departments.

“What’s important is that their names have been endorsed,” Gasataya said. “There’s already an assurance in place.”

He said the city typically hires between 3,600 and 4,000 JO workers, but budget constraints have limited the current batch to a skeletal workforce.

Hiring will continue on a monthly basis, depending on available funds.

Some employees are temporarily taking on extra duties to address staffing gaps while the city completes its assessment and finalizes deployment.

The mayor said the evaluation process will be completed within the week to ensure adequate manpower in all departments.

He emphasized that not all offices require the same number of JOs and that the city is closely reviewing each department’s actual needs.

“For example, if an office requires 100 JOs but can function effectively at 70 percent capacity, then we save public funds,” he said.

Gasataya reiterated the need for fiscal discipline.

“Our funds are not limitless,” he stressed. “We cannot just hire anyone without proper screening. Hiring must be based on what is available.”

He also issued a memorandum to department heads banning volunteer work unless officially endorsed by the city administrator.

“We are continuing the no-ghost-employee policy from former Mayor Albee Benitez,” Gasataya said. “If you are employed by the city, you must report for work. You cannot expect payment without doing the job.”

He warned that allowing volunteers without proper authorization is risky and not allowed under his administration.

Gasataya also encouraged all JO employees to undergo drug testing, although it is not mandatory.

To set an example, he took a drug test on his first day in office.

So far, no JO employee has tested positive.

“I want to be a working mayor,” he said. “I have a complete grasp of what’s happening.”

Gasataya recalled his long-standing familiarity with City Hall, dating back to 1987 when he served as a Boy Councilor during Boys and Girls Week.

He returned in 1993 as a Bombo Radyo reporter covering the City Hall beat.

In 2001, he was elected city councilor, and in 2013, vice mayor.

Now as mayor, he said he treats his role with seriousness and focus.

“Personally, there’s a lot of work to do because I treat this as real work,” he said. “No politics, just work.”