Rightsizing: No mass layoffs

The rightsizing bill approved by the House of Representatives will not cause mass layoffs as it is not an outright downsizing measure, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said over the weekend.

In a statement, the DBM debunked claims that House Bill 5707, or the Rightsizing

the National Government Act, could lead to massive layoffs and displacement, or worsen contractualization.

The DBM also denied that the measure will deteriorate the quality of public services as it will instead improve delivery of public goods and services.

“Primarily, the Rightsizing Program is a reform mechanism that aims to enhance the government’s institutional capacity,” the DBM said.

“Moreover, the program is not about outright downsizing. Rather, it is designed to arrive at the appropriate structure and size of government agencies that will be responsive in the delivery of public goods and services in an effective and efficient manner, at the right time, and at the right cost,” it added.

The rightsizing bill aims to enable the government to enhance its performance by eliminating functions, programs and projects that are redundant or unnecessary, while strengthening other sectors or agencies that need additional resources.

Government employees who will be affected by the program will not be forced to retire or leave public service as they will be given the option to avail themselves of retirement benefits or separation incentives, or be placed in a manpower pool to be deployed to priority agencies needing additional personnel.

“The program is not about outright downsizing since agencies that will require additional resources to implement their respective priority programs and projects will be strengthened,” the DBM said.

“The program will not lead to contractualization in government. On the contrary, it could be an opportunity to review the functions and operations of agencies and to provide the appropriate staffing to carry out these functions. Personnel currently hired on contract of service or job order basis may be absorbed and be regularized, if qualified, in their respective agencies,” it added.

A total of 255,295 out of the 1.6 million government positions may be affected by the rightsizing bill, according to DBM. Positions to be affected are only in the executive branch and will not include medical professionals in hospitals, teachers and other teaching-related positions in educational institutions and military and uniformed personnel.

The bill will also create the Committee on Rightsizing the Executive Branch, which will formulate mechanisms to safeguard the welfare of the employees who may be affected by the program.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the rightsizing bill is one of the priority bills certified by President Duterte for urgent approval from Congress. He expressed confidence it will be passed within the year.

Upon enactment of the measure, the DBM will need two years to fully implement the program.