By CESAR JOLITO III
Former Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) General Manager Mona Dia Jardin is contesting the board of directors’ decision declaring her term expired, insisting her tenure is valid until 2028 and vowing to take legal action against what she called an “illegal removal.”
This came after Jardin was rejected from entering the Baciwa office on Wednesday, August 27, following a board resolution issued on August 22 that cited the expiration of her term and loss of confidence as grounds for her dismissal.
Engineer Michael Soliva has since been appointed acting general manager.
In a press conference, Jardin stood firm that she would not resign as GM and is already preparing legal steps.
She stressed that while she acknowledges her appointment is at the pleasure of the board, her removal must still follow due process.
“If they followed due process, there should have been a formal complaint, notice of hearing and investigation,” she said, noting that the resolution was passed and served to her on the same day, August 22, without giving her time to respond.
Jardin further argued that under Civil Service Commission rules, her term is valid until 2028.
She also defended her actions regarding issues cited by the board, such as the purchase of the Alangilan Eco-Park, saying she was authorized by a board resolution to negotiate and purchase the property, with payments likewise requiring board approval.
“They even passed the resolution without suspending the rules,” Jardin added, reiterating that under Republic Act 9286, removal of a water district GM requires just cause and due process.
Among the grounds cited for her removal were her alleged failure to impose sanctions on PrimeWater, Baciwa’s joint venture partner, and the unresolved back wage claims of 59 employees declared redundant.
Jardin countered that implementing sanctions requires board approval and that the employee claims are already pending before the Court of Appeals.
She insisted that she would continue reporting to the Baciwa office daily to show that she remains the general manager.
“This is history repeating itself. I respect my workplace and I intend to be there every day because I am still the GM,” Jardin said./CJ, WDJ