Tuesday, October 24, 2006 Penro ex-chief refuses to yield
PROVINCIAL Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) Chief Richard Abella defied Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes’ order to swap positions with the chief of the Forest Resource Development Division (FRDD) Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7.
Special Order 796 was issued last Sept. 20 yet and was to take effect immediately. But until now, Abella refused to turn over his post to Teodorico Barral, the FRDD chief.
“I don’t know his reason. He evades me each time I try to discuss it with him,” Barral told Sun.Star Cebu.
Abella refused a request for interview.
The new assignment is part of the ongoing organizational development and to improve public service, Reyes stated in his order.
“If he does not turn over the post to me, I will issue a memorandum informing him that I am assuming the post. I will give a copy to our office in Manila,” Barral said.
Some employees of Penro said Barral is more qualified to hold the post than Abella because he has career executive eligibility, while Abella does not.
Barral also assumed Abella’s post in February last year when Abella was slapped with a 60-day suspension for his alleged involvement in the attempt to smuggle lumber from Davao
Barral stayed in the post until February this year.
Barral said Abella should not take the order of Secretary Reyes against him because it is a routine procedure. (AIV)
