WITH NO applicants through an outsourcing company, the Cebu provincial government is now trying to hire medical doctors for its 16 hospitals on a job order (JO) basis. In September last year, Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia dropped the direct hiring of medical staff, citing that having them under the provincial government’s payroll was too costly. Bidding was conducted for the manpower services, which was won by Manila-based LBP Service Corp. with a P258-million contract for more than 800 medical and clerical personnel. LBP did not receive any applications for the medical doctor positions. Several of the previously directly-hired doctors opted to stay at their posts, although they have since been classified as “outsourced” personnel. The doctors are particularly crucial for the provincial government’s aim to upgrade its four provincial hospitals. Cebu operates four provincial hospitals in the town of Balamban and the cities of Bogo, Carcar, and Danao, all of which are currently categorized as Level 1, meaning only minor surgical operations can be performed. Ms. Garcia said the doctors who have remained will be considered for the JO position given their “commitment” to their profession and “loyalty.” “The best thing we could offer is put them under contract of service nga ilang ma (wherein their) take home (pay) would still be lower than the regular but then it would be enough for them to compensate considering industry rates now,” she said. “We are also closely watching the performance of these doctors kay magpakita sila (if they perform well), and then definitely we can consider mo-graduate ni sila (them) into becoming regular employees,” Garcia said. — The Freeman

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