PLO to wrap up probe on fertilizer fiasco soon

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental provincial legal officer Atty.  Alberto Nellas said that under delivery of fertilizer to the province’s storage is possible as this was done at night.

Nellas told reporters on Tuesday that the PLO is wrapping up its investigation on the missing 789 bags of fertilizer worth P2.3 million at the Capitol-owned warehouse in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City.

As far as under-delivery is concerned, Nellas said “may possibility gid kay natabo sang gab-e ang delivery but we cannot exactly say nga amo gid na natabo.”

Two personnel of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) were investigated and charged administratively – Joy Cardinal, a contractual worker, was no longer renewed while regular employee Hermigildo Basilio was made to answer the charges.

Nellas said that Basilio reiterated his position that he will no longer submit evidence.

“We will resolve the case based on available records,” Nellas said.

He also said that they are looking at the angle that the two personnel only followed orders from a superior.

Nellas confirmed reports that the two workers were only ordered to sign the delivery receipt.

Meanwhile, Nellas said the memorandum designating him as in charge of security has nothing to do with the missing fertilizer case.

He was given the additional responsibility as overall head of security agency personnel of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

In his memorandum, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said that all security agencies contracted by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental (PGNO) shall exclusively report to Nellas as the overall head, with Watchman III Orlando Jundo and Watchman I Ryan Recustodio as immediate supervisors.

Diaz said that Renelo Lastierre remains as Safety and Security Division head, while the “blue guards” were placed under the supervision of Atty. Nellas.

Copies of the memorandum order of Diaz were also furnished to Priscilla Mallen, president of AFGLA Security Agency; Mark Frey, Focal Person of ILOBAC Security Agency; and Pepito Apora, Focal Person of GDS Security Agency.

Irene Bel Ploteña was earlier designated as head of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division, having earlier served as its focal person.