• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two engineers of the Negros Occidental provincial government have returned to work after completing their 60-day preventive suspension, but the administrative case against them remains pending.
Engr. Sanny Balinas, head of the Silay Oxygen Plant, and Engr. Rodney Dejilla, the facility’s former supervisor, resumed their duties after their suspension ended on July 15.
Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said the formal administrative proceedings against the two engineers are still ongoing.
Both are facing charges of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The preventive suspension, which took effect on May 14, was ordered by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
The administrative complaints stemmed from the alleged mismanagement of the Silay Oxygen Plant located within the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital compound in Silay City.
Nellas said the investigation found that the plant’s equipment and materials had deteriorated due to the alleged failure to conduct the required preventive maintenance.
Although financial documents reportedly showed that payments for preventive maintenance were being processed, investigators allegedly found that no such maintenance had actually been carried out.
As a result, the oxygen plant reportedly became unable to produce medical oxygen, Nellas said.
Despite the expiration of their preventive suspension and their return to work, Nellas said Balinas and Dejilla will continue to undergo formal administrative hearings while the provincial government completes its investigation into the case. | GPB
