Orduña resigns as capitol exec
LINGAYEN–NO hard feelings.
This was the common message sent out by both Governor Amado Espino Jr. and his appointee, Paterno Orduña, who resigned from his position as Executive Assistant IV and as head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) effective July 1.
In a press conference last week, a teary eyed Orduña, a retired police colonel, told the press, “I decided to meet you to put things in proper perspective at yon ay para hilingin sana sa inyo na huwag sanang bigyan ng ibang kahulugan ang ating personal na pamamaalam sa paglilingkod sa lalawigan,”.
Orduña, appointed as PDRRMC chief in 2007 as part of his job as Executive Assistant IV at the start of Espino’s first term as governor, was on medical leave for over a month before he announced his resignation.
In a statement, Espino said on Orduña’s resignation: “I have lost a capable leader, brilliant organization man and a loyal friend.”
Espino, stressing that Orduña will always be his friend and a colleague with whom he shared his mission and vision for the province, said, “I have placed you and your loved ones in a very special spot in my life.”
Rumors were rife that Espino had a falling out with the Orduñas as Paterno’s resignation came soon after the resignation of his brother, Ricardo who is mayor of Bugallon town, as president of the League of Pangasinan Mayor’s (LMP).
DOC’S ADVICE
The former PDRRMC chief stressed that his resignation was upon the advice of his physician, Dr. Doris Camagay, “to slow down” and refrain from strenuous physical and mental activities “to preserve my failing health”.
Orduña, 61, admitted he has diabetes may already affect his heart.
“Heeding my doctor’s advice and after consulting with my family, especially my son Carlo, an anesthesiologist, I decided to resign from my work and take good care of my health,” he said.
“I can’t speak for my brother, the mayor of Bugallon. His resignation from the LMP was his personal decision… meron rin siyang problema ng kanyang pamilya na kailangan din niyang matugunan at magampanan,” he added.
On Wednesday, Espino and Orduña had a meeting with the staff of the PDRRMC where the latter personally asked the governor to allow him to meet members of the press first before he finally leaves.
Orduña said Espino’s parting words were: “Ayusin mo ang katawan mo, Pat”, to which he responded, “Sir, kayo rin”.
Orduña also assured members of the media that he is not completely shunning public life as he will just be around, farming at his family’s residence, and can be contacted anytime.
Deputy head Tommy Cabigas is expected to succeed him as head of the Task Force Kalikasan, which works under the PDRRMC for the clearing of rivers around the province.
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