DBM TO PRIORITIZE JO, COS WORKERS FOR GOV’T VACANCIES

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to extend the transition period for Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) workers in government, whose contracts expire in December, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has called on government agency heads to prioritize these workers when filling vacant plantilla or permanent positions.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman revealed that of the 2,017,380 plantilla positions in the national government, 92% are currently filled, leaving 8% or 168,719 positions vacant.

“Eight percent—that’s 168,719 positions still unfilled. We encourage our department heads to consider absorbing these JO and COS [workers] when filling these vacancies,” Pangandaman said in a press statement.

She also mentioned the recent issuance of Commission on Audit (COA)-DBM Joint Circular No. 2, series of 2024, which extends the transition period for COS and JO workers in government.

The circular allows departments and agencies to hire new COS/JO workers under individual contracts and renew existing contracts until December 31, 2025.

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