DTI-CITEM, Too Much Delay in Payment

Ni Oggie Medina

There is too much delay in receiving my honorarium last December 2025 from DTI-CITEM amounting to P78,162, “inclusive of all applicable taxes.”

Last March 18, 2026, Ms. Dee Roldan of CITEM’s Corporate Planning Division sent me a message via Viber: “Sir RCM, good evening! Quick update on your payment documents. I was able to secure the opinion of our Legal Officer and our Internal Auditor is now helping draft an appropriate and acceptable memo for Management to facilitate audit clearance so your honorarium can be processed. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding. I also appreciate the nudge coursed via several messages to former Chief Elvie Borje and Ma’am Malou Mediran. We’re targeting to conclude the document processing by tomorrow. Check preparation should follow, with release expected next week. Maraming salamat again for your patience!”

Then on March 26, I made a follow-up of the check. Ms Roldan’s reply: “Wala pa po, Sir. Mea culpa.”

On April 13, 2026, Friday, at 1:39 pm, Roldan’s message to me was: “Aabisuhan kita, Sir. Pag ready na ready na for pick up. Para hindi ka mainitan.” This was to follow up on the release of the check.

Last April 25, 2026, at 1:29 pm, I received a message from Ms. Dee Roldan: “Good day, Sir. I truly understand your concern, and I sincerely apologize for the delay and any inconvenience this has caused. Please rest assured that your payment is being actively worked on. We are currently completing the remaining supporting requirements so we can facilitate processing properly and without further issues. We are doing our best to resolve this as soon as possible, and I will personally keep you updated once there is movement or once it is already in the final processing stage. Thank you very much for your continued patience and understanding.”

Fortunately, I was able to get my semestral salary from Mabalacat City College in Pampanga in March 2026 after five months of teaching (August to December 2025).