By DANNY O. SAGUN

LINGAYEN – The past administration went beyond the ceiling of 45 percent for personal services as provided by the local government code, it was gathered.

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. bared during last Monday’s flag ceremony that budget for personal services went up to 53 percent during the time of his predecessor which he said was a clear violation of the law.

Article 2 Section 325 of the code provides that total appropriations for personal services in a fiscal year shall not exceed 45 percent for first to third class provinces and 55 percent for fourth to sixth class provinces. Pangasinan is a first class province.

While 137 plantilla positions were left unfilled out of the total 2,105, the number of casuals swelled to 1,161 aside from 121 contractuals and 93 consultants, records showed, Espino said..

He said he was going to abide by the budget ceiling imposed by the code by reducing the number of casuals and consultants and also by merging offices performing duplicate functions, making the first hint of a personnel layoff and office rigodon in the provincial government.

“We understand your sentiments but we have to abide by the law,” he told the provincial workers, some of whom had been casuals for more than 20 years already. He said he was studying very well the status of such workers.

In a quick statement of sympathy for the jittery casuals however, the new governor noted that in the past, appointments of casuals are renewed every three months to their demoralization. “Nawawala ang kanilang self-respect at ang loyalty nila sa kanilang trabaho,” he added.

The province is paying more than P7 million a year for the 93 consultants whose rates range from P5,000 to P15,000.

Meanwhile, the governor already signed Supplemental Budget No. 2 worth P98 million to defray the 10 percent salary increase for provincial employees effective July 1 and the renovation of the Finance building where the offices of treasury, accounting, budget, and personnel will be relocated.

The provincial Capitol will house the offices of the governor and members of the sangguniang panlalawigan. Urduja House will serve as the governor’s official residence. (DOS)