- GILBERT BAYORAN
Two department heads of the provincial government of Negros Occidental will retire from government service this year.
Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, said Tuesday, Feb. 20, that Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Merle Garcia will retire Feb. 24, while Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, is retiring from government service in June.
Diaz said they will designate an officer-in-charge of PSWDO, to temporarily replace Garcia, in preparation for the designation of her permanent successor.
Based on the ruling of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Diaz said a regular and permanent employee will be designated as department head, which requires a long process.
With the impending retirement of Tumimbang, Diaz said the transition to the new leadership will start by April.
Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) head Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian is also due for transfer to the Silay City government as assistant city assessor.
Marife Macaya has been designated by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson as OIC of the PDMPD, with Irene Belle Plotenia to serve as focal person, pending a new division head./GB
