• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Cheryl Decena is now back to work, effective on April 22, at the Negros Occidental provincial government, after serving a six month suspension, but no longer as the Provincial Tourism Officer.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II yesterday said that Decena has been reassigned to Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA), to develop the farm tourism at the Negros First Ranch in Murcia, Negros Occidental.
Diaz explained that Decena cannot return to her former position as Provincial Tourism Office, since she and two others have a pending case before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Decena and four other employees, who were then assigned at the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary, were suspended six months without pay for simple neglect of duty, which was related to irregularities and delays in the remittance of cash advances, resulting in mismanagement, and a P3.5-million loss for Mambukal in 2023.
Decena said she will do her best on the given job, adding that she will work under the supervision of Provincial Veterinarian Placeda Lemana and Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola.
Her six-month suspension ended on April 21.
Diaz disclosed that Tourism Operation Assistant Raymond Bayot, who succeeded Decena during her six months suspension, will remain as Provincial Tourism Office officer-in-charge.
As OIC of the Provincial Tourism Office, Diaz said that Bayot is doing a good job, following the composition of a new team under his leadership.
The results of that teamwork and chemistry has resulted in a lot of positive developments, which can be shown partly also during the Panaad Festival, he added.
Diaz also announced the designation of Cely Carman as the officer-in-charge of Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC), following the resignation of Maria Cristina Basa-Orbicido, who is now working abroad.
The position vacated by Orbicido as head of NOLITC has been upgraded to assistant department head, which has many applicants, according to Diaz.*
