MWSS to review bonuses out of ‘moral obligation’

Citing its “moral obligation" to the public, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) promised to review the alleged huge board member bonuses and perks bared by the President in his State of the Nation Address (SONA). MWSS head Macra Cruz said top officials may tackle at a meeting on Thursday the issue about the bonuses of the board members which was raised by President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III in his SONA Monday. “Kami uli ay mag-meeting bukas so isa naman sa tatalakayin yan kasama yung mga sa labor, kasama ang opisyales ng division managers and up para pagusapan talagang tingnan ano ang talagang justifiable as far as we are concerned (We will meet Thursday and tackle the issue. We expect representatives from our labor and division managers to attend the meeting and determine what is justifiable)," Cruz said in an interview on dzXL radio on Wednesday. “Siguro moral obligation natin ito sa ating mamamayan (This is our moral obligation to the people)," she added. She said she will compare the perks received by employees of other government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs). She cited the need to balance “moral" obligation with the morale of the MWSS personnel who might feel "demoralized" should the benefits be withdrawn. “Morally obliged din ako na tingnan dahil may panawagan ang mahal na presidente kung anuman ang tinatawag na kalabisan. Kinukuha ko ang ibang institution para ma-compare natin to avoid total demoralization ng tao sa MWSS (I am morally obliged to look into this because the President had mentioned it. I am comparing the benefits for our employees with those of other agencies and GOCCs to avoid a total demoralization at the MWSS)," she said. Cruz maintained the perks are not anomalous per se as these had been approved by the proper authorities. MWSS’ legal luminaries have justified the perks before auditors, she said. In his SONA Monday, Aquino lamented that the MWSS’ Board of Trustees received millions in perks and allowances, including extra bonuses and even grocery provisions. He said MWSS officials get up to a 30th month pay while members of the Board of Trustees receive P14,000 per board meeting, grocery incentives, mid-year bonuses, productivity bonuses, anniversary bonuses, year-end bonuses, financial assistance, Christmas bonus, and a Christmas package. Voluntary resignation Cruz said as of Wednesday, no one has heeded Aquino’s call to voluntarily resign from their posts. “Wala pa akong na-receive na balita na merong nag-tender ng resignation (I have not received any news of anyone tendering his or her resignation)," she said. Cruz also said the MWSS is processing the pension benefits of retired MWSS employees which will amount to some P600 to 700 million. –VVP, GMANews.TV