About 600 job order employees in Tanjay City, Oriental Negros, have denounced some local officials for what they call "insensitivity and lack of concern" for their welfare.

For almost three months now, they claimed they have not received their salaries pending the approval of the 20 percent Development Plan to which their wages shall be charged.

Because of this, Mayor Baltazar Salma said he had spent from his own pocket to spare one or two meals for job order casuals and their families, and to buy them rice and other provisions. On the other hand, Vice Mayor Lawrence Teves said the payment of job order employees was not included in the 20 percent development fund.

He had questioned some allocations in the AIP for alleged lack of specifics.

Meanwhile, Neil Salma, who is seeking the mayoralty post, said the action of the minority at the Sangguniang Panlungsod in delaying the approval of the Annual Investment Plan had resulted in the dislocation of normal activities, such as road maintenance, clearing of clogged canals, and the payment of street sweepers.

One of the more important basic services affected by the non-approval of the Annual Investment Plan is the collection of garbage due to lack of fuel supply, and support for the fire department in activities marking fire prevention month, he added.*JG

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