Limit mobile use during office hours, Capitol workers told

By: Gerome Dalipe

EMPLOYEES of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol should minimize the use of their mobile phones and other electronic devices during office hours.

Likewise, all electronic devices such as desktops, laptops, mobile phones, among others, owned by the Capitol should be used for official business only.

These are among the office policies contained in the latest executive order issued by Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. and released to the media yesterday.

Defensor issued an executive order directing all Capitol department heads to comply with the provisions of Republic Act 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act.

“Non-compliance shall be dealt with accordingly and will be subject to appropriate administrative sanction,” Defensor’s order read.

The order came after the Civil Service Commission caught on camera several erring Capitol personnel abandoning their posts during lunchtime.

It was no less than Service Commission Commissioner Aileen Lizada who caught some Capitol employees leaving their posts to take lunch.

The Capitol employees, who are detailed in various offices, were caught on camera not in their respective desks when Lizada and her team conducted a surprise visit in their offices.

One of the computer desktops was reportedly left by the staff still logged in on an online shopping website.

Provincial Administrator Suzette Mamon earlier told reporters that their investigation is on-going to determine the liability of those Capitol personnel who were caught on video abandoning their positions during lunch break.

But Mamon stressed that Capitol offices observe the “No Noon Break” policy pursuant to Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

In his order, Governor Defensor reminded Capitol employees of compliance to the Anti Red Tape Act, particularly the “No Noon Break Policy.”

All offices and Capitol-run hospitals are mandated to adopt appropriate working schedules.

This is to ensure that all clients who are within their premises are attended to and served even during lunch break and after regular working hours.

Defensor also ordered the creation of priority and special lanes for transacting with senior, pregnant women and persons with disabilities.

The public assistance desk at the Capitol lobby should be ready at all times to provide assistance to the transacting public, the governor said.

“Each office must have an officer of the day who will be ready to attend to queries in their respective offices,” the order read.

Likewise, all Capitol employees are required to wear the prescribed office uniform at all times while inside the capitol or hospital premises.

During the non-uniform day on Fridays, all employees are still required to wear the proper attire.

Prohibited attire at the Capitol include dresses considered as extreme such as shorts, or haltered blouse dress, spaghetti straps, sandos,  and miniskirts.

The Capitol employees are also reminded to observe the office hours from 8 to 5 pm. Attendance should be done in the biometrics timekeeping system.

“Upon registering one’s attendance, no official or employees shall be allowed to leave the premises unless expressly permitted by the department head,” the order read.

All officials and employees are strictly prohibited during office hours to hang around especially at the cafeteria and malls.

Failure to comply with the order may face disciplinary actions from the Capitol officers.