Nagbabala si Senador Risa Hontiveros sa maaaring maging epekto ng planong merger ng Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) sa mga coconut farmer at empleyado.

“This impending merger will make it even more difficult for the beneficiaries to access support from the fund and will further dilute the mandate of the LBP to assist Coco Levy beneficiaries,” aniya sa isang pahayag.

Humihingi rin si Hontiveros ng imbestigasyon sa merger ng dalawang bangko na isinumite niya sa ilalim ng Senate Resolution No. 570 dahil ito ay may posibleng panganib sa ekonomiya, kasalukuyang financial system ng bansa, at iba pang stakeholders.

Kasama rin sa resolusyon ang alalahanin ng Land Bank of the Philippines Employees Association at DBP Employees’ Union na sinabing nilabag ng LBP at DBP ang ibang parte ng Collective Negotiations Agreements dahil hindi nakipag-ugnayan sa mga union bago maglabas ng anunsyo sa posibleng merger.

“As the two banks merge operations, it is possible that certain jobs will be eliminated or reduced in size. It will negatively affect employee morale and job satisfaction. Changes in leadership, organizational structure, and company culture can create anxiety. Employees should not carry the burden of job uncertainty and financial hardship that will result from this merger,” ani Hontiveros.

Nanawagan din siya na wag madaliin ang planong merger at maglaan ng oras para suriin ang plano, makipag-ugnayan sa mga stakeholder at iresolba ang operational at personal na isyu na binanggit ng mga empleyado at coconut farmer.

“Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit minamadali. Sa paglalakad na ito ng matulin, ang mga empleyado ng dalawang banko at coco levy beneficiaries ang matitinik ng malalim. Hindi ba dapat ayusin muna ang mga isyu gaya ng non-payment of benefits o proper turnover bago umarangkada na naman sa panibagong merger?” tanong ng mambabatas.

“There is a need for the government to proceed cautiously and prudently vis-à-vis the contemplated merger, as well as clarify all legal issues involved, for the purpose of ensuring that this does not prejudice the country’s economy, the stability of the financial system, and the welfare of affected employees and depositors,” ayon sa resolusyon.