MORE THAN 6,000 positions under the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be phased out starting October this year as part of the transition into the new Bangsamoro ARMM (BARMM). “We have roughly 6,000 plus employees who will undergo phasing out. These are employees from the different agencies of the now-defunct ARMM that are not absorbed. Exemption being are those who are from the sectors of education, health, and social services,” BARMM Spokesperson Naguib G. Sinarimbo said during a news conference Tuesday. BARMM Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim said the affected employees already underwent a general orientation on the gradual phasing out process and the new ministries have been “tasked to submit final computation of separation incentives of all affected employees to the (BARMM) Office of the Executive Secretary.” Mr. Sinarimbo said the process will be concluded by December. “The current budget under the GAA (General Appropriations Act) is good until December only,” he said. “Others are opting to separate during this process instead of waiting for their retirement since they will get a bigger separation pay compared to a regular retirement,” he added. A bigger workforce will be organized for the BARMM, which will be put in place starting 2020. “By next year, our bureaucracy will get bigger,” he said. Mr. Ebrahim assured that the new regional administration “will continue to work on what is best for our employees given the provisions of the (Bangsamoro) Organic Law. The rights and privileges of the employees envisioned in the transition plan shall serve as our priorities as we implement this difficult aspect of the transition.” — Tajallih S. Basman

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