City legal officer files answer to Ombudsman
BACOLOD CITY -- City Legal Officer Atty. Allan Zamora yesterday filed his answer to the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas relative to the complaint lodged by three differently-abled persons.
Lowel Raner, Gilmar Menionuevo and Ismael Solivio complained that they worked as casual workers at the PWD Computer Resource Center starting September 1, 2007 until December 31, 2007 but they were not paid by the city government.
The three allegedly rendered their duty at the said office under the supervision of the City Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (CCWDP) chaired by Councilor Homer Bais and the Department of Social Services and Development headed by OIC Sally Abelarde.
The three decided to elevate their case to the Office of the Ombudsman after their claims were allegedly ignored by City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Last December 19, 2008, Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago formally wrote Mayor Leonardia requesting the latter to act on the request for assistance by Lowel Raner, et. al.
On the other hand, City Legal Officer Atty. Zamora said that upon verification, it was found out that the three have no appointment from the Local Chief Executive to render service at the PWD Computer Resource Center located at the Bacolod City Public Library from September 1 - December 31, 2007.
"Mr. Lowel Raner, et al., never indicated therein that they were appointed by Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia as casual employees of the City of Bacolod. All that they claimed was that, they allegedly continued their duty until December 31, 2007 because Councilor Bais and Sally Abelarde assured them of their wages," Zamora claimed.
He further said that there never was any discrimination against persons with disabilities in the City of Bacolod because of the "No Appointment, No Work Policy" of the City Government of Bacolod.
Zamora said that the allegation of Mr. Lowel Raner, et al., about their having gone to the house of the City Mayor who told them to wait for their wages is not accurate. "While they went to the house of the City Mayor, they were never told to wait for their wages but the Mayor told them that he will see what he can do to help them considering the "No Appointment, No Work Policy" of the City Government of Bacolod," Zamora added.