Capitol engineer sacked

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the dismissal from service of an engineer assigned to the Negros Occidental Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) after he was found guilty of administrative offenses of grave misconduct, vicious habits, disgraceful and immoral conduct, and conduct prejudicial to best interest of the service.

Lacson approved the dismissal of Engineer Noel Barredo from the PEO effective immediately.

The dismissal is the result of an investigation conducted by Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr.

In his investigation report submitted to Lacson, Nellas said  Barredo has been also barred from entering or approaching the vicinity of the offices under the provincial government.

The Office of the Provincial Administrator received an endorsement from the Provincial Human Resources Management Office of several complaints against Barredo.

The complaints ranged from disturbing joggers and Zumba dancers while under the influence of liquor; violation of health protocols and urinating inside the Capitol Lagoon Park; forcing his way into the EB Magalona healing facility without wearing face mask and under the influence of liquor on Sept 19, 2021; and exhibiting violent behavior towards personnel at the motorpool compound on Aug 25, 2021.

On Oct 5, Nellas said they received an explanation from Barredo claiming that he was not drunk when he was discovered by security guards urinating inside the lagoon.

Barredo further claimed he has no intention to harass a medical representative at the Lion’s Park in Bacolod City.

He, however, admitted he was not able to control his anger during a drinking spree with colleagues at the PEO on Aug 21, because of hearsays against him, as he confessed to have banged the hood of a vehicle

“Your past and current actions have proven that you have gone past reason and have become a danger to your peers and society,” Nellas said, referring to Barredo.

Nellas said in deciding to forego the investigation against Barredo due to seriousness of his offense, with evidence of guilt strong, they found him guilty of administrative offenses.