Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is proposing a provision in the proposed bureaucracy rightsizing bill to create plantilla positions for “qualified” contractual employees consistently performing the same functions in the bureaucracy for many years.

“I would like to propose some form of language where part of the mandate is to create plantilla positions to accommodate contractual employees who are qualified,” Gatchalian said as quoted in a news release on Sunday.

During the recent Senate consultative hearing on Senate Bill 890 or the Rightsizing the National Government Act, Gatchalian said many of the contractual employees have held their respective positions for over 10 years and are already compliant with civil service requirements.

“Maraming contractual na nandoon na for 10 years na qualified naman. Ang problema lang, walang (Many contractual employees who have been working for 10 years are qualified. The problem is there is no) plantilla item,” he said.

In the government, a plantilla position refers to a permanent position with a budget allocation in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Gatchalian said rightsizing should not only focus on enhancing government efficiency but also on providing employees with appropriate positions in the bureaucracy for functions they have already been performing for a long time.

He emphasized that the lack of plantilla items should not hinder efforts to improve government efficiency in delivering public services.

In the same consultative hearing, Gatchalian asked Department of Budget and Management representatives to provide estimates on the potential savings the government could generate if the proposed rightsizing bill is enacted into law.

Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, highlighted that any savings resulting from the rightsizing measure could help improve the government’s fiscal position without resorting to imposing new taxes.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, author and sponsor of SB 890, earlier said the Senate will prioritize the passage of the bill before the 19th Congress adjourns its session in June. (PNA)