By CESAR JOLITO III

Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena and four employees assigned to the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia town have been slapped with an additional six-month suspension without pay after being found administratively liable for slight neglect of duty.

The provincial government’s decision stemmed from alleged irregularities and delays in the remittance of cash advances in 2023, which reportedly led to the mismanagement and loss of P3.5 million.

Also suspended were Mark dela Cruz, storekeeper and disbursing officer; Ester Jane Ignacio and Alfredo Tolosa III, both disbursing officers; and April Love Wee, recreation and welfare services officer at the resort.

Decena previously served as officer-in-charge of Mambukal Resort during the period in question.

In a statement, Decena denied the allegations, saying documents exist that disprove claims of mismanagement and delayed liquidation.

“These allegations were belied by documentary evidence, which showed that liquidation was made within the deadline set and that Mambukal Resort even reflected an initial income of P9 million,” Decena said.

She added that rather than incurring losses, the resort posted positive income during that time.

Pattern of harassment?

Decena and her co-respondents are set to file a motion for reconsideration and have expressed hope that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson will assign an “impartial legal team” to review the case and supporting documents.

She further claimed that the sanctions reflect a “pattern of harassment” within the provincial government.

“There is a pattern of harassment in the provincial government against individuals who have honestly served for years, some of whom have either been forced to resign or slapped with unfair penalties,” Decena said.

“This begs the question — why?” she added./CJ, WDJ