MAYOYAO, Ifugao (May 23) — Punctuality and attendance among government employees here, are ensured with the installation July 15 last year of the biometrics system at the entrance of the municipal hall.

Biometrics is a device that accurately scans fingerprint. It is globally used in offices and companies purposely to easily monitor and manage attendance of employees.

When asked about the impact of this device on the government employees, Ms. Jesse Sibucao, currently working as a volunteer at Mayoyao Museum, disclosed that some employees who render genuine services have positive outlook on it while some are still taking time to adapt to it.

Municipal Accountant Peter Lahina Jr. also explained that the said device had been instrumental in inculcating discipline and time management among employees.

Deductions vs. service

“An amount is immediately deducted from the salary of an employee who fails to render his or her services due to unreasonable absence or tardiness and the said amount goes to the savings of the LGU,” Lahina said.

Lahina revealed, however, that the strict implementation of this system is coupled with a big responsibility of educating the employees. Persistent on his stand, he maintained that these employees will eventually understand its relevance in providing quality service to the clients.

As to the importance of the said device to the clients, Lahina explained that using it to ensure punctuality among government employees is beneficial to clients who often come early to the government offices to finish their transaction ahead of time.

He said, “Some of these clients have other transactions outside the town so they sometimes catch up with the Mayoyao bus.” For this reason, he stressed that government employees must always be on their posts so they could immediately attend to their needs.

Most clients attested though that they deserve a genuine service and since their transactions in government offices occur anytime during office hours, they find the use of biometrics advantageous as it helps ensure the presence of government employees who will assist them. # Jeremy M. Gawongna/Ifugao PIO