Bacolod City Water District terminated employees held a picket in front of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) national office on Wednesday, April 12, to demand action on their pending case for “illegal termination” after BACIWA signed a joint venture agreement with Prime Water Infrastructure Corp. in 2020.
The CSC regional office decision ruled that the employees were illegally terminated and should be reinstated but BACIWA appealed the decision, a press release from Leny Rojo Espina, Bacolod City Water District Employees Union (BEU) president said.
“Delaying the decision is a grave social injustice to the employees. The delay in rendering decisions smells rotten how the rich and powerful like Manuel Villar hold the necks of government officials to protect their interest”, she said.
There are 59 employees who stood up against illegal termination and another group of employees has also taken legal action questioning the illegal termination.
Manuel Villar Jr. owns the Prime Water that entered into a joint venture agreement with BACIWA, she said.
“The joint venture agreement is a failure. It failed to provide potable and clean water to thousands of water consumers. It shows that privatization does not mean better services but surely is concern with profits,” she added.
BEU NAFLU calls on CSC chair Karlo Nograles to take the pen and reinstate the employees. Further delaying the decision is an insult to injury, the press release said.*