By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has instructed department heads to avoid using job order casual workers for political purposes as the midterm elections approach.
In the first virtual meeting of the year with department heads on January 6, Benitez emphasized the importance of ensuring job order workers focus solely on their assigned tasks.
In a media interview, City Administrator Lucille Gelvolea said the mayor does not want these workers exploited for political gain and called for their dedication to their professional responsibilities.
Gelvolea noted that the exact number of job order workers in the city for 2025 has not yet been determined.
She added that some workers were not recommended for renewal due to performance issues, while others who appealed were reconsidered for reappointment.
Other topics discussed in the meeting included updates on the Business One-Stop-Shop, the status of the fire-damaged portion of the Central Market in Barangay 12 from December 2024, and the city’s preparations for a potential Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
Benitez, currently on official travel abroad, designated Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran as acting mayor from December 19, 2024, to January 19, 2025.