During the flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol grounds on August 1, Lapiz thanked the Capitol employees, especially the union members, for their support in the recent elections.

Lapiz said one of the union’s ways forward is to negotiate with the management the proposed “union time-off”, or the one-day time-off they can avail of once a month without having to deduct from the employee’s leave credits.

Also, Lapiz talked of a scholarship program for the rank and file employees of the Capitol or the JOCOS (Job Order and Contract of Service) employees who wish to take on review classes in preparation for Civil Service Examinations.

Lapiz said he was looking forward to establishing and administrating the “Provident Funds” in the local government during his term as president, which he said is pursuant to Executive Order No. 641, s. 2007.

“Ang ma-promise lang nako nga mahimo nako, kanang kwarta nga pondo namo dira, ipasalig nako nga walay mawala ana sa akong panahon karon,” Lapiz vowed.

He even plans to have the union funds be audited “ug maklaro ug malimpyo pila gyud atong pondo ug mga assets sa SPEU bago ko maglingkod as the new president.”

It was on July 25 when Lapiz and the rest of the officers were declared winners after the election that happened on the same day.

The union was established with the purpose of advancing its members' interests and welfare with respect to employees’ incentives, benefits, and working conditions. (Jori Mae R. Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)