This message was sent by Adonis(screen name) from LandBank Manila:

As always, for so long wala na kami narining kung hindi proposal, proposal, proposal. Wala na ba kayong alam gawin kung hindi ipagmalaki ang mga proposals nyo na sa proposal na din natatapos. We want something written in our payslip. Ang iingay nyo before, bakit wala kayong magawa ngaun. Bakit pati COLA na pinangako nyo nawala na rin parang bula. Bakit hindi tanungin mga kasama mo Brotarlo, bakit sila nakakapag bakasyon sa Coron with the whole family, Macao, Singapore and other places. Bakit sila nakabayad sa Landbank Coop e dati namang delinquent (Hindi nakakabayad) at ngaun ay may bagong Hi-ace na hindi naman inutang sa PFO at bagong renovate ang bahay. Tapos ngaun na puro problema na ang HMO mga hindi na matawagan at hindi na raw sila involved na HMO. Pakisagutin mo nga Brotarlo, please.

IN RESPONSE:

Thank you Adonis for your strongly worded message to the point of being sarcastic.

By the way before I start to attack your message, please be reminded that there are 12 LBPEA Officers at the Head Office who could answer your concerns. My area of jurisdiction is in the Visayas but then thank you for trusting my sensibilities.

Anyway, I am giving you my undivided attention to address the issues you raised point by point:

First, your comment na puro proposal lang ang ginawa ng LBPEA. Please know that LBPEA cannot bargain or ask anything from the management without giving proposals. I hope you're intelligent enough to know this.

All the economomic proposals we gave last year were positively answered. We received P35t as economic benefit which we never enjoyed in the past, our anniversary bonus was doubled last year, this year P15t additional, and so many others which were granted through the proposals of LBPEA. The problem with us is we tend to forget the people who worked to make these benefits possible...alone you cannot do it.

Our increase in salary is due for implementation anytime this second semester with retroactive effect. It is now subject to the approval of PGMA. Such increase will be written in your payslip soon.

Second, regarding the vacation, house renovation, and the new car of other LBPEA officers, personally I dont prejudge people. Presumption of innocence is my orientation-everyone is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. I give them the benefit of the doubt without evidence to prove your allegations. We have PFO loan every year which we can spend for vacation, for house renovation, or make as down payment for the car.

Third, on the HMO problem, LBPEA already took the risk in terminating the Medserv Contract and we are now on self-insurance. Should you have problems on this regard you may coordinate with your unit representative or you may call directly to LBPEA National at 02551-2200 local 2480 or 2525.

Fourth, the COLA is a legal battle as you may know. It is not within the control of LBPEA. The case of Batch 1 is with the Supreme Court awaiting decision hopefully by December 2009 according to Atty. Norberto Martinez-Counsel for COLABEP. Batches 2 and 3 which raise the issues on COLA and restoration of BEP are in two different Regional Trial Courts in Manila with ongoing trials.

Finally, please know that the LBPEA Officers are receiving celphone allowance and an honorarium just enough for a jollibee meal. Being an officer is more of service and a mission without regard to financial reward. LBPEA was left with nothing financially but debts by the past administration.

I personally have sacrificed a lot to be able to serve the interest of the rank and file...your interest. I even spend my personal resources to update the LandBankers in the Visayas area through the newsletter. I take my position and responsibility as LBPEA Officer by heart because I believe I cannot make the change alone. Change to make our work and our life as LandBankers better. It is through this Association that my voice will be heard.

I appreciate your time and effort to write me. I hope I have done justice to your message.

God bless!

Sonia D. Brotarlo
Director for Visayas