4 Iloilo execs in hot water over livelihood project

ILOILO CITY—Four officials here are facing disciplinary actions for alleged irregularities in the P3.5-million chicken dispersal project the city had intended as livelihood project for poor families.

Mayor Jose Espinosa III ordered city agriculturist Romulo Pangantihon, general services officer Joren Sartorio, supply officer Eduardo Vargas Jr. and city veterinarian Tomas Forteza Jr. to explain why they would not be held liable for violations of the Civil Service Act.

Espinosa’s orders came after a fact-finding committee recommended that Pangantihon, Sartorio and Vargas be held liable for gross neglect of duty and Forteza for simple neglect of duty.

Espinosa also directed Sartorio to reject the deliveries of chicks made by the supplier on Aug. 3, 10 and 24, and in September last year, as recommended by the fact-finding committee, after these were found to be below the prescribed weight of 300 grams each under the contract.

The fact-finding committee noted that there were procedural lapses and legal obligations that the officials failed to comply with in the project. —NESTOR P. BURGOS JR.