Edict on use of uniforms by government workers filed

The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance further amending Ordinance No. 11, series of 2017 which earlier amended Ordinance No. 050, series of 1995 governing the use of uniforms by city government officials and employees and for other purposes.

Under the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Fred Bagbagen, the use of uniforms and use of identification cards and name plates shall apply to officials and employees and for other purposes.

The ordinance stated that the city mayor, through an administrative order, shall create the Uniform Committee in the local government and shall be composed of the city Administrator as chairman with the Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Ethics, governmental Affairs and Personnel, the City Human Resource management officer and the president of the Local Government Unit-Baguio Employees Association, Inc (LGU-BEAI) as members.

Among the duties and responsibilities of the Uniform Committee include to conduct consultations with officials and employees regarding the design and materials of the uniform as well as the schedule and days of wearing the prescribed uniform; shall make available the design of the prescribed uniform not later than 3 months preceding the intended calendar year of implementation where the design and materials of the uniform for any given year shall be good for 2 consecutive years and shall designate the president of the LGUBEAI in accordance with existing laws on procurement to procure and to ensure uniformity and quality of the materials to be used in the uniforms.

On those days where there is no prescribed uniform for the day, employees shall be dressed in appropriate attire. The wearing of jeans or maong pants, except which are ripped or tattered, may be considered as appropriate attire when paired with a collared polo shirt for mallet employees and any appropriate blouse or collared shirt for female employees.

On other hand, among the prohibited attire of city government officials and employees include ripped or tattered jeans or maong pants whether factory made or intentionally fabricated; tight fitting seductive and gauzy flimsy or transparent or net-like shirt or blouse; sando, strapless or spaghetti strap blouse unless used as an under shirt, tank-tops and blouse with over plunging necklines; micro-mini skirt, walking shorts, pedal pushers, cycling shorts, leggings, tights and jogging pants and rubber sandals, rubber slippers and bakya.

However, in the implementation of the dress code, exemptions will be allowed such as when by the nature of the work of the employee demands that he or she wears clothing other than those prescribed to be determined by the Uniform Committee; when religious affiliations or creed or any legitimate practice by the employee in relation thereto requires him or her to wear a particular clothing; due to physical disabilities and other legitimate health reasons; pregnant employees will be allowed to wear maternity dress during the period of their pregnancy; employees who lost a loved one can wear mourning clothes during the period of mourning; in times of inclement weather; newly hired employees will be subject to the rules on clothing allowance and other analogous circumstances of any of the aforesaid conditions.

Further, other prohibited acts shall include ostentatious display of jewelry, except for special occasions and during official celebrations and wearing of heavy or theatrical make up.

Moreover, all officials and employees of the local government shall use their identification cards and name plates at all times during office hours for public accountability. Identification cards shall be properly displayed at chest level for easy identification.

Subject to the requirements of due process in an administrative proceeding, violators of the pertinent provisions of the ordinance shall be penalized with a written warning to be issued by the department or office head for the first offense; a written reprimand to be issued by the department or office head for the first offense and suspension of one day without pay for the third offense; suspension for one week without pay for the fourth offense; suspension for one month without pay for the fifth offense and dismissal from office for the sixth and final offense.

The ordinance tasked the department or office heads through the administrative officers to be responsible for the monitoring and implementing the provisions of the measure otherwise, they shall be sanctioned with similar penalties as earlier provided.

The departments shall submit a monthly report to the City human Resource Management office on officials and employees who shall violate the said rules for the imposition of the appropriate penalties against them. – Dexter A. See