Capitol official to face charges over Sendong, Negros quake assistance

ACTING Gov. Agnes Magpale said her office is preparing a case against the former head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Office for irregularities in distributing aid to victims of typhoon Sending in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete cities in 2011 and the Negros Oriental earthquake last year.

The Commission of Audit’s (COA) report on Capitol operations found that 2,750 sacks of NFA rice intended for Sendong and earthquake victims were without receipt.

The COA said it “could not ascertained due to the absence of proof of acceptance of the goods” if the food aid from the Cebu provincial government reached the disaster-stricken local government units.

“Daghan pami na diskobrehan nga irregularities,” said Magpale.

(We have found some more irregularities.)

But Marivic Garces who used to head the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is unfazed.

“Rest assured I can provide a copy,” Garces said of the proof of acceptance of goods.

Garces has been detailed by Acting Governor Magpale to the Integrated Provincial Health Office after the suspension of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia last December. The acting governor said she has lost trust and confidence on the former PSWDO.

“Wala pa kabalik ang staff nga niadto sa NFA kay gitawagan man siya kay duna nay gi wire na gikan sa Cagayan de Oro ug Iligan,” Garces told Cebu Daily News yesterday afternoon of the proof of acceptance of goods.

(My staff who who went to the NFA still has to come back after they were told that a wire message from Cagayan de Oro and Iligan has arrived.)

She added that she is confident to answer all allegation of irregularities during her watch in the PSWDO).

No monkey business

“Just let her file any kind of case kay ako ra nang tubagon, basta all I know is that I’m not doing a monkey business during my time in PSWDO,” Garces said.

(I’ll just answer the charges.)