CENECO employees up in arms vs new GM
BACOLOD CITY – The Council of Managers (COM), Responsible Supervisory and Confidential Union of Employees (ResCUE) and CENECO Union of Rational Employees (CURE) in a Manifesto of Workers' Solidarity are questioning the management style of their new General Manager (GM) Engr. Sulpicio Lagarde Jr.
The three groups particularly set their cannons on the following issues: 1stsemester categorization downgrading, non-consultation prior to reshuffling of employees, unplanned and lavished spending, upgrading of GM's salary, negative perception of GM to employees and undermining employees' integrity.
On the first issue of downgraded categorization from Category A+ ( 90 and above) to B (70), employees said it was not given utmost attention for assessment and plans of programs towards the achievement of the targets. There should be a re-assessment of the existing programs and strategies to ensure attainment of goals as provided in NEA Memorandum No. 2008-022 dated September 2, 2008.
Secondly, although they respect the prerogative of the new management, consultation should be conducted among the labor staff and labor organizations prior to the reshuffling to avoid discontentment among the employees.
Thirdly, God forbids, they said, the financial viability of the cooperative will be adversely affected due to the unplanned and lavished spending.
They also questioned if it is fair and timely that despite CENECO's current financial status and partial categorization below the standard rating someone will be given a monetary increase. The group is referring to the proposal of salary upgrading of the General Manager from P50,000 per month to P80,000 as approved by the Board of Directors.
"It will create a demoralization effect to the employees and will draw a lot of controversies from the public because it is not in consonance with NEA policies particularly the Salary Grade for the GM," the manifesto added.
Lagarde for the past 100 days also kept on saying that what they have done before his take-over was erroneous, undermining the integrity and reputation of employees.
In May 2008, few days before the term of then OIC General Manager Engr. Edwin Montemayor ended, somebody (referring to Engr. Sulpicio Lagarde) came in as consultant but later in June, Lagarde took over the position "with just a word of mouth", as they described it. Not a single resistance was manifested instead they responded by manifesting full support and cooperation without asking how and why Lagarde became the new GM because of the desire of a charismatic and effective leader.
Along the road of excellence and 100% support, they observed that the springboard of what they are supposed to do is not yet in placed. The "blue print" of six-month workplan as required by NEA Administrator in the letter dated June 16, 2008 from the General Manager on his probationary status was not presented.
They narrated that CENECO encountered ups and downs however, against all odds it survived the test of times because they considered the institution as the most important organization in the fulfillment of the rural electrification program of the nation.
"After the previous triumphs to cleanse the institution we are very appreciative that the Board of Directors together with the NEA make use all avenues to look for a General Manager who will lead us to sustain the A+ categorization and bring the CENECO to best among the best electric cooperatives in the Philippines," the manifesto said.
The group also acknowledged the good deeds of their new GM like strong political will and eagerness to serve. They also emphasized that their intention is not to pull down Lagarde but to establish the trust and confidence between the management and the employees.
Lagarde on the other hand said, he is willing to face his employees and listen to their grievances even if NEA will call them, to be fair also to one another.
He said measures are already in place to counter the problems of CENECO particularly on first semester categorization issue and he is asking the employees support for that.
On the issue of salary increase, he said that he deserves to receive such increase because that is already the standard among the nearby cooperatives expressing his thanks to the Board of Directors for passing a resolution.
"If we want better service, we should compensate him/her with better benefits to prevent corruption," Lagarde added.
The manifesto was signed by Engr. Edwin Montemayor, Manager, Engineering, Operation and Operation Dep't; Engr. Leomel H. Tambanillo, Chief Division Planning Division; Engr. Felipe Taquiso, Chief Maintenance Division; Engr. Jesus Amado Dormido, Chief Line Maintenace Division and Erlo Sajo, Manager CAD, COM Chairman, representing the Council of Managers (COM).
From the Responsible Supervisory and Confidential Union of Employees (ResCUE), Roy Cordova, Head Meter Reading Section; Engr. Robert Zaragosa, Chief, Technical Services Division; Engr. Jose Tadlas, OIC Corporate Planning Division; Reynaldo Monotilla, Line Foreman and Ms. Prezel Moncatar, Auditor.
CENECO Union of Rational Empoyees (CURE), Benjamen Tundag, President; Ma. Luisa Parocco, Vice-President; Mildred Valladolid, Secretary, Jimmy Galimba, Treasurer and Steve Orville Canal, Chairman of Board of Directors.
Copy of the manifesto was furnished to NEA Administrator Edita Bueno.