Lawmakers on Tuesday highlighted the plight of long-serving contractual and job order (JO) government workers, many of whom have spent over a decade in public service without benefits or security of tenure.
Senator Raffy Tulfo emphasized that some employees, including street sweepers and social workers, have been working for years yet remain casual or contractual.
“These employees are forced to constantly prove themselves every year just to have their contracts renewed,” Tulfo said, adding that even those nearing retirement remain without permanent positions.
Tulfo underscored the irony that while the government condemns contractual labor practices in private companies, it is often the biggest violator of such practices internally.
“Many agencies lack proper budget allocations to convert long-serving contract workers into permanent employees,” he said.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed the concern, noting that thousands of unfilled positions exist across government agencies.
“Many of our colleagues in the executive office have JOs and COS [Contract of Service] working for them, yet unfilled plantilla positions remain. We are urging the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to match these employees with existing vacancies,” he said.
Gatchalian added that the majority of JOs and COS—around 70%—are in local government units, while 20% are in the national government. He stressed the importance of regularizing these workers, giving them security of tenure and benefits, especially for those who have consistently performed well.
As part of the solution, Gatchalian affirmed that the Government Optimization Program under Republic Act 12231 will start next year, backed by a budget of ₱10 billion. The program aims to create plantilla positions for long-serving JOs and COS, while adjusting qualification standards to ensure they are placed appropriately.
Gatchalian further highlighted the Career Service Eligibility Preferential Rating under CSC Resolution 2301123, which gives preferential consideration to government workers—including JOs, COS, casuals, and contractuals—based on length of service and performance.
“Even those without civil service eligibility can be recognized for their expertise and years of service,” he said.
With over 179,000 unfilled positions and more than 150,000 positions projected to remain vacant in 2026, lawmakers insist that government agencies act to regularize JOs and COS, ensuring fairness, job security, and efficient public service.
