By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson officially named the new officer-in-charge and head of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and the Provincial Disaster Management and Program Division (PDMPD) yesterday.

Lacson revealed that former OPA head, Dr. Edmundo Causing, was suffering from a heart ailment and was likely further exacerbated due to the recent controversies that hit his office.

Some OPA employees have been removed or facing administrative complaints due to being involved in several incidents, such as the drinking binge incident last year, and the recent disappearance of fertilizer bags stored at the Negros First Rice Processing Center warehouse in Bago City.

Lacson said OPA supervising agriculturist Dina Genzola will replace Causing.

Genzola was appointed OPA officer-in-charge, as Dr. Causing steps down from his post on August 1.

Meanwhile, Lacson has officially appointed Irene Bel Ploteña to become PDMPD head, effective July 3.

Ploteña had previously served as the PDMPD’s focal person, after its previous head, Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, transferred to the Silay City local government unit./DGB, WDJ