ILOILO CITY — Four employees of the city government may face disciplinary action should they fail to explain their failure to perform their functions in line with the implementation of the livestock component of the Integrated Community Food Production Program (ICFPP).
The component was the distribution of 17,500 heads of native chicken to qualified 20,000 indigent families in the city that commenced in August 2017.
The dispersal program was temporarily stopped on September 25, 2017 upon the order of Mayor Jose Espinosa III after it was noticed that the term of reference (TOR) was not followed by the supplier.
An Ad Hoc Committee formed to conduct an investigation on the alleged irregularities recommended that disciplinary action be imposed upon City Agriculturist Romulo Pangantihon Jr, General Services Officer Joren Sartorio and Supply Officer Eduardo M. Vargas Jr for gross neglect of duty and City Veterinarian Tomas Forteza Jr for simple neglect of duty.
Vargas, who was present during the first two deliveries, “failed to inspect the chicken by not individually weighing each head to determine they are not less than 300 grams”, the fact-finding team stated.
Forteza was cited for his “failure to observe legal obligation” as he was supposed to certify as healthy the 17,500 native chickens.”
Pangantihon failed to inspect to ensure that the individual weight of the chickens is not less than 300 grams, that chickens were completely immunized and proper quarantine procedure were observed during the delivery and that the chickens were certified healthy.
Sartorio was liable for his failure to “exercise the due diligence required” to ensure the strict compliance with the TOR.
The committee also recommended that the deliveries made by supplier on August 3, 10 and 24 and September 7, 2017 be rejected and for the supplier to make deliveries pursuant to the TOR.
It was also recommended that “no payment be made to the contractor.”
The contractor Foodwealth Agro-Vet Trading (Foodwealth), represented by Gaspar Igona cannot be presumed in good faith in the performance of their obligation, the fact-finding team said.
The committee recommendation was approved by Espinosa and concerned individuals were given 72 hours to answer in writing why they will not be held liable for their omissions.
Sartorio was also ordered to reject and not make payment for the previous deliveries and for the supplier to deliver what was in the TOR.
The ICFPP is funded by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) under the Bottom-up Budgeting Project.
Of the PHP10.370 million budget for its implementation, PHP3.5 million was allotted for the dispersal of 17, 500 native chickens to 2,000 selected members of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program.
Based on the TOR, the chickens have to be immunized and must weigh not less than 300 grams upon delivery.
More than 2,000 heads were delivered to the target recipients before the dispersal was ordered stopped. (Perla Lena/PNA)
