Govt rightsizing may affect 2M workers

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has proposed to rightsize government agencies, which could affect up to 2 million workers.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a radio interview on Wednesday that the plan to downsize the bureaucracy is being polished for submission to Congress before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.‘s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Its overarching objective (rightsizing) is to have a small bureaucracy that is agile and responsive in the modern era. This program will fix those agencies that have repetitive functions or overlapping functions,” said Pangandaman in Filipino.

The proposal will decide which of the 187 government agencies and government-owned and -controlled businesses with more or less 2 million employees may be streamlined through merger, restructuring or abolition.

“For example, if 5 percent is affected by the program, the equivalent is P14.8 billion per year that we will save on our personnel services,” the Budget chief said.

She said personnel who will be affected may apply for positions that will be created by the rightsizing. The government will also offer a program to retool employees so they may apply for vacant positions. Those who choose to retire will be provided with the necessary benefits.

However, the plan for rightsizing does not apply to positions in the teaching and associated fields, in the health sector, in the medical field, or in the military or other uniformed services, the DBM clarified.

The plan, the agency said, is consistent with its support of the Marcos administration’s initiative for a lean, effective and responsive government staff.