Following allegations last year claiming native chickens delivered to beneficiaries of the Iloilo City Integrated Food Production Program were “defective,” which resulted in the formation of a committee to conduct a fact-finding investigation, four Iloilo City employees face neglect of duty charges, including City Agriculturist Romulo Pangantihon, Jr.

Pangantihon, General Services Officer Joren Sartorio, and Supply Officer Eduardo M. Vargas, Jr. face gross negligence charges; while City Veterinarian Tomas Forteza, Jr. is being charged for simple negligence.

Back in September 2017, Iloilo City Councilor Ely Estante penned a resolution calling for an investigation into claims by 200 beneficiaries from the city’s Jaro district, comprised of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries and farmers, reportedly receiving chickens that were underweight.

According to the terms of reference (TOR), native chickens must weigh at least 300 grams.

Around the same time, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III also called a meeting of relevant officials and issued orders to the Internal Audit Service office and the City Agriculturist regarding the situation.

Based on findings from the committee, both Pangantihon and Vargas failed to properly inspect the chickens to ensure they were of proper weight; while Sartorio was lax in applying tenets of the TOR.

Meanwhile, Forteza was cited for not certifying the health status of the chickens./PLL, W