• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena and four other employees, who were previously assigned at the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary, have been suspended for six months without pay for simple neglect of duty, which took effect. Oct. 21.
The development was confirmed yesterday by Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr.
Nellas said that Decena, then officer-in-charge of the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary; Mark de la Cruz, disbursing officer/ storekeeper; Alfredo Tolosa III, disbursing officer; and April Love Wee, recreation and welfare service officer II and disbursing officer, were found administratively liable for slight neglect of duty related to irregularities and delays in the remittance of cash advances, resulting in mismanagement, and a P3.5-million loss for Mambukal in 2023.
Under the principle of command responsibility, Decena, who was later transferred to the Provincial Tourism Office, allegedly failed to rectify the unliquidated cash advances for 2023, according to a complaint filed against her.
In a statement, Decena decried the six-month suspension without pay meted on her and the resort’s former disbursing officers, describing the decision as “unwarranted”.
“There is a pattern of harassment in the provincial government against individuals who have honestly served the provincial government for some years, some of whom have either been forced to resign or slapped with unfair penalties. This begs the question – Why?”, she added.
Contrary to the allegations against them, Decena maintained that they have submitted all their liquidation reports to the accounting office, which were declared approved, prior to the suspension order.
Decena said she will file a motion for reconsideration on her suspension, which was approved by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, as recommended by the Provincial Legal Office (PLO).
She also hoped that the governor will assign an “impartial legal team” to review her case and the documents she will submit.
On Decena’s claim of harassment, Lacson said they can use that as a reason for their motion for reconsideration.
“If they feel that way, they can elevate it to the Civil Service Commission. That’s something that they need to prove,” the governor said.
Lacson said that all complaints against Capitol employees go through a process.
“There was no harassment intended,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nellas said the PLO issued demand letters to various Capitol departments in relation to the liquidation of cash advances, with a deadline of Nov. 30 this year. | GB
