By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government has dismissed the employees from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) allegedly involved in the disappearance of 789 fertilizer sacks at the Negros First Rice Processing Center at Barangay Tabunan in Negros Occidental’s Bago City.

Provincial Legal Office (PLO) head, Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr., said they have already served the dismissal order for administrative charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and malversation of public funds of property against agriculturist Hermenegildo Basilio.

Meanwhile, agriculturist Joy Cardinal, a contract of service employee, had her employment terminated.

Nellas said they have found enough evidence to suggest that the two can be held liable for the alleged disappearance of the fertilizer bags worth P2.3 million.

Nellas said Basilio has 15 days to file an appeal before the Civil Service Commission.

He also confirmed that the involved employees’ immediate supervisor had already resigned due to the incident.

He further added that the PLO was unable to chase down the division head since they had already cleared the supervisor./DGB, WDJ