Two engineers assigned at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Negros Occidental were again placed under a 60-day preventive suspension, allegedly for receiving “underspecified” grain dryer, Provincial Legal Officer, Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr., said Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Nellas said that the two engineers pushed for the payment of the grain dryer even though it was underspecified.
The preventive suspension of engineers Jimbo Garsula and German Abihay for grave misconduct took effect Nov. 7, the PLO said.
Nellas said that a show cause order was also issued on Engr. Armin Elias Ciocon, who is assigned at the Provincial Engineering Office.
He said that Ciocon was not included in the preventive suspension since there is a small chance of tampering the evidence as the files are with the OPA.
Garsula and Abihay, as well as three other OPA employees, were earlier placed under a 60-day preventive suspension for grave misconduct, in connection with the alleged misuse of a government property following a drinking session in Victorias City, while on official travel on July 15 this year.
Nellas said the underspecified grain dryer, which was procured in 2017, had some parts missing and its delivery was made in 2022.
While he cannot recalled the exact amount paid for the grain dryer, he said it costs millions of pesos.
“Considering that the case filed is grave misconduct, it follows a preventive suspension of 60 days, in order to protect the evidence at hand, and witnesses, from tampering,” Nellas added.
Garsula and Abihay returned to work in October after the first 60-day preventive suspension imposed on them by PLO./GB
