Garces questions Senajon’s eligibility

The former social welfare department head of Capitol accused the new head of the office and the general services office head of bringing up wrong issues against her just to ruin her reputation.

Marivic Garces explained that in her nine years as head of PSWDO, she always made sure that goods were distributed to the recipients before its date of expiration.

Provincial General Services officer-in-charge Eva Encabo earlier said that based on their inventory, there are boxes of noodles that are expiring this month but were not distributed yet.

Garces explained that the noodles were purchased last year for the victims of Typhoon Pablo.

But because of the tension in the Capitol last December and the change of administration, they were not able to do the distribution.

Garces said that she could not be blamed that the supplies that were not distributed and the present officerin-charge of PSWDO, Evelyn Senajon, should have done distribution.

But Senajon explained that if there was proper turnover, she could have proceeded with the distribution of the goods.

“Iklaro lang nako, sa ilaha pa na nga panahon. Naa untay report sa mga beneficiaries but wala gyud. Maski storya nalang unta sila namo na nay pending ipanghatag, na mo- expire na ang goods.

Instructions lang gud ba but wala gyud,” Senajon said.

Garces has been transferred to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) under Dr. Cristina Giango when Acting Governor Agnes Magpale assumed office following the suspension of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Senajon assured they have disposed most of the noodles and only a few boxes are left which will be distributed before the month ends.

Garces also explained that during her stint as head of the PSWDO, she made sure that proper process was followed in the distribution of National Food Authority (NFA) rice to the typhoon and earthquake victims in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete City.

Senajon earlier said that the donations were not covered with acknowledgement slips.

“Kini si Senajon, wala gyud kasabot sa systema,” Garces said. (Senajon does not understand the system.)

Garces explained that the Cebu Provincial Government transacted with NFA for the purchase of the sacks of rice.

After payments were made, instead of shipping the donation in cargo vessels which would take time, they arranged with the recipient local government units to pick up the rice donation at the nearest NFA warehouse in Cagayan, Iligan and Dumaguete.

Garces further explained that coming up with a complete list of recipients is not the task of the Cebu Provincial Government but of the LGUs since they were the ones directly distributing the rice to the victims.

She added her office has requested for certified true copies of all transactions with NFA.

But Senajon said that they only learned that the withdrawal of rice stocks was done through NFA-to-NFA process when Magpale called PSWDO administrative officer Wilson Ramos to explain the lack of receipts.

Ramos is given until this week to get the receipts from NFA, said Senajon.

Garces stressed that they have always been transparent in the distribution of NFA rice and the purchase of goods is in accordance with the list of recipients.

“We do not just purchase, or issue RIS (Request Issuance Slip) when there is no identified recipient,” said Garces.

She added that they purchase stocks in bulk to be ready always to extend assistance to victims of disasters and calamities.

Garces said Senajon may not be aware of this because she is not a registered social worker.

“She could never be called the designated Provincial Social Welfare Officer because I am still holding the position of PSWDO. I am the eligible PSWDO. Unless ila ko ipapatay, that’s the time magbutang sila ug lain tawo,” Garces said.

But Garces clarified that she is not speaking against the administration of Magpale and acknowledges that her transfer to the IPHO is Magpale’s call.

Senajon, on the other hand said, her eligibility should not be an issue as she does not have any intention to head the office.

“Klaro gyud na sa akoa, OIC raman ko. By virtue of civil service, siya (Garces) gyud ang head. I am working

based gyud sa designation as OIC sa acting governor. Wala gyud na nako giilog sa iyaha