Friday, November 12, 2010

Capitol hands off IHWA rift

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE provincial government will not meddle in the brewing rift between members and officers of the Iloilo Health Workers Association (IHWA).

Provincial legal officer Dennis Ventilacion said they will not intervene in IHWA’s internal affairs since it is an organizational matter.

Cracks within IHWA (which has been advocating for the hazard pay and other benefits of their ranks from the provincial government) appeared after more than 500 members met Monday to discuss the status of their benefits.

The general assembly was requested by more than 600 members, around 89% of the 900 IHWA membership.

Surprisingly, only one IHWA official attended the general assembly despite the notice given them last month.

The main item in the agenda of the general membership meeting is to signify the sentiments of majority of IHWA members to accept the compromise deal offered by Governor Arthur Defensor as regards their hazard pay and subsistence and laundry allowances.

With the acceptance of the compromise deal, IHWA will stop litigation of the P490-million claim they filed with the Regional Trial Court.

The RTC had decided in favor of the health workers but stopped short on how much the provincial government should pay the workers.

The workers are claiming that the provincial government owes them their hazard pay, subsistence allowance and other benefits amounting to P55 million yearly since 2004 to 2009.

But the IHWA board decided not to accept the compromise agreement and just continue with the civil suit.

The IHWA general membership has decided to hold an election of fresh officials Friday with the refusal of the present board to stand by their decision to accept the compromise deal.

Dr. George Acepcion, IHWA vice president, said over RMN-Iloilo that they did not receive any notice for the general assembly.

Acepcion said what happened last Monday was a meeting of health workers, not by IHWA members.

Acepcion said only the officers of the organization can call for a general membership meeting based on their by-laws and constitution.

Dr. Judy Ann Dumayas said they want to hold an election as the present board’s term has already expired.

Dumayas said the IHWA officers are functioning in a holdover capacity because of the case regarding their benefits. She said they do not find a holdover provision in their constitution.

Dumayas said IHWA officials cannot anymore represent the sentiments of majority of their members, thus the election of the new set of officers.

Defensor’s compromise deal included the payment of the hazard pay and other benefits since January 2010 and onwards.

The provincial board even included in the delayed 2010 budget P55 million for the said benefits in a show of goodwill to the health workers.

The same allocation will be included in every annual budget in case IHWA gives in to the compromise.

But IHWA officials are looking after their back hazard pays and the benefits of those who retired from service, thus their refusal to accept the compromise.

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