Manila, Dec. 18 -- The government has placed a cap on the hiring of Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) workers to address the recurring issue of contractualization in the public sector.

In a news release on Thursday, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said it has issued Joint Circular (JC) No. 1, series of 2025, together with the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). It prescribes revised guidelines on the engagement of COS and JO workers in government agencies.

Under the circular, agencies may continue to engage COS and JO workers, but shall not exceed the number of such personnel as of the end of 2025, effectively setting a ceiling on contractual hiring.

The issuance covers national go...