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THE government saved almost half-a-billion pesos with the
implementation of its rationalization program since 2004, data from
the Department of Budget and Management showed.
In a paper submitted to the Philippines
Development Forum, the Budget department said 2,132 positions have
been abolished after the approval of 30 state-institutions’
rationalization plan, making the government save P402 million from
total personnel services.
Because of the program, 1,742 government
personnel were affected. But the department said 94 percent or 1,632
affected personnel opted to retire and be separated from the
service, while 6 percent or 110 employees transferred to other
agencies.
Incentives and terminal leave benefits paid to
those who have opted to retire or be separated amounted to P160
million.
The Budget department and the Civil Service
Commission are mandated by law to implement the rationalization
program, which will help the executive branch become more effective
and efficient.
Under the plan, all departments or agencies of
the executive branch will conduct a strategic review of their
operations and organizations to identify the functions, programs,
activities and projects which can be scaled down, phased out or
abolished.
The savings generated from the program will be
plowed back to the departments and agencies concerned to beef up
funds for items like maintenance, other operating expenses and
capital outlay.
Of the approved 30 institutions, two were from
department level offices, five attached agencies, 15 other
government agencies, and eight government-owned and controlled
corporations (GOCCs).
The Departments of Finance, Health, and
Transportation and Communications, meanwhile, have yet to complete
their rationalization plans.
In the implementation of the program, 20
departments and department-level offices, 28 other executive offices
or other government agencies, and 60 GOCCs are expected to submit
their rationalization plan.
Of these, 82 entities or 76 percent have already
submitted their plans to the Budget department as of March 15 of
this year.
-- Chino S. Leyco
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