THE reduction of operating hours at the Grotto in Marpi is a cost-cutting measure that acting Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Manny Pangelinan has implemented.
Pangelinan issued a memorandum last week informing stakeholders that effective Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, the Grotto is open for business between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. only, every day.
One hour a day was “taken away” from the operating hours, he said in an interview on Monday.
Pangelinan said when he became acting DLNR secretary, he saw on his desk requests for authorization of overtime work involving a “lot of hours.”
He said one employee who was tasked to secure the Grotto seven days a week claimed 18 hours of overtime work.
As everybody in the government must have known already, “our cash has been depleted,” Pangelinan added. “So I took a proactive measure.”
Under their new work schedule, the DLNR employees assigned to the Grotto will work five days a week, Monday to Friday — no more OT, or weekend duty, Pangelinan said.
He said other DLNR employees will now have to work on Saturdays and Sundays at the Grotto so that it will still be open to the public on those days.
“We are all in this together,” Pangelinan said referring to the cost-cutting measure. “In order to make this island a better place to live, we have to work together,” he added.
‘I’m good’
In a separate interview, DLNR site maintenance worker Max Aguon said he was transferred to Fish and Wildlife from Parks and Recreation, effective Monday, Jan. 23.
He said he still holds the same title and is still tasked to take care of the Grotto and provide safety for the visitors there.
Aguon, a community volunteer who cleans up tourist sites, said he will still work eight hours a day, but no more overtime.
“I’m good,” he added. He noted that before, he had to work on Saturdays and Sundays. These are are now his days off.
