DAR implements rationalization plan

By Gertrude G. Albano

Contributor

“Now a reality; time has come to accept the much awaited DAR rationalization plan creating pros and cons to us DAR employees,” one Department of Agrarian Reform employee said during an orientation/briefing at a hotel here in Laoag City.

This plan through Executive Order 366 has long been conceptualized in 2005 and took effect in October 1, this year and was developed through a series of consultations in response to the changing needs of the department in relation to its mandate and functions of Land Tenure Improvement, Agrarian Justice Delivery, Program Beneficiaries Development and good governance.

The rationalization plan provides a more mission-focused organizational structure and creates a lean-and-mean staffing pattern geared towards achieving program efficacy and efficiency.

This approved organizational structure resulted in the renaming of several retained organizational structure which led to creation/merging/downgrading/abolition of some divisions and municipal agrarian reform offices.

Consequently, the approved staffing pattern retained most original plantilla positions; created new and necessary positions; removed/reduced excess and rationalized positions downsizing 92 DAR-Ilocos Norte employees, (42 have retired; 38 were accommodated in the newly- approved Indicative Staffing Pattern already submitted to DBM while 12 employees preferred to stay in DAR but under co-terminus with the incumbent category).  

DAR is covered by Implementing Rules and Regulations where different Memorandum/Special Orders/Advisories were issued by Change Management Team Chair Felix Perry Villanueva.

Only recently, majority of DAR employees especially retirees were confused  about the different interpretations of the different memoranda issued by the management causing a retirees emergency meeting on December 2, 2013 presided by Amor Galat to address several issues.

The retired employees will receive their retirement benefits/incentive package until the end of the year or early next year as announced aside from their GSIS and Pagibig claims.

During the waiting period of their retirement/incentive package, the salaries of retirees/holdovers under Executive Order 366 will be based on their latest monthly salary plus ACA/PERA under  “no work-no pay scheme.” However, Memorandum Order No. 412, letter b, stated that retirees’ documents submitted after September 13, 2013 would be based on a daily basis. 

The first of its kind agency that still pays retired employees as agreed in the plan.

Reshuffling of Regional Directors, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officers nationwide were done, to name: Rodolfo Pangilinan –Region 1 Director; Assistant Director- Felicidad Dumaguing also the concurrent PARO II while Engr. Rudy Acacio is the new CARPO-Administrative Division Chief.

Dumaguing stressed during the recently-held retirees’ meeting on December 3, 2013 concerning the anxiety of getting the package: “Let us be patient with your retirement pay as we will be the one to address your plight to DAR Central Office.”

The retirees will receive their certificates of recognition on December 19, 2013 in time for the DARPO Christmas Party to be held at the Pacific Social Hall, Laoag City with honored guests led by Pangilinan.