“They are the ones who rejected the rehiring and that’s beyond my control,” the mayor said, referring to SEAS.
He said he respected the decision of SEAS due to the central government’s failure to pay the manpower agency for the services of the nurses.
At least five nurses whose contracts expired in July were not rehired.
“SEAS are the ones who control the employment of the nurses but no funds are being set aside,” Mendiola said.
Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez said his department tried but failed to identify a funding source that would allow them to directly hire the Rota nurses.
The mayor said he tried to request for funding “which is really the factor.”
“I am hoping SEAS will consider hiring them back,” he added.
Mendiola said the operation of the Rota Health Center, which has six remaining nurses, was not affected.
He said they are “maximizing” available personnel which include assistant nurses.
“I will be trying to operate within our means,” he added.
