SP declares DAR exec persona non grata
THE provincial board declared on Monday during its session an official of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) central office persona non grata for allegedly humiliating local officials in a meeting held in Binalonan town.
Fifth District Board Member Nicholi Jan Sison moved for the passage of the resolution, saying that an incident happened on July 19 when a certain Engr. Jeycel Bartolome inspected a project in Binalonan.
Sison said Bartolome reportedly berated and insulted local engineers of the DPWH and local elected officials.
“We Pangasinenses are very hospitable and respectful in nature. Tatanggapin po nating lahat ang gustong bumisita dito at bibigyan po natin ng kaukulang respeto,” he said.
Bartolome is a technical support staff of the Project Management Service of DAR central office.
Second District Board Member Haidee Soriano-Pacheco asked Sison what were the derogatory words uttered by Bartolome but the latter declined, saying that these “are very sensitive and very insulting”.
Vice Gov. Mark Lambino, in an interview, said Bartolome questioned changes made in initial specifications already implemented in some areas. “if you will look at it, the projects implemented here are wider for the same amount,” he said. “So, I think, it is better for the same amount, wider road, better quality but he questioned it,” he added.
Local officials had told Bartolome that they requested their farm-to-market roads be done wider so that agricultural vehicles can easily pass through and the DPWH redesigned the plan.
The changes angered Bartolome and reportedly started cussing.
“We cannot say the words but these were demeaning to the engineers of DPWH. The words were insulting to the local officials who were only thinking basically value for money, a better project for the same amount,” Lambino said.
“Mabibigat ang mga binitiwang salita,” he added.
Lambino said DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III was informed about the incident and said, “Do what you have to do. If that’s the right thing, do it.“
It may be recalled that sometime in December, the provincial board gave Gov. Ramon Guico III authority to approve for the P100-million projects of DAR whose implementation are ongoing. (Eva Visperas)
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