By Dolly Yasa
The officer-in-charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Aklan (PENRO Aklan) and two others face sanctions for not implementing the order to reinstate and pay the back salaries and wages of their former head and four other employees.
In a memorandum order, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR)-6 Regional Executive Director Francisco Milla Jr. ordered DENR-PENRO Aklan OIC Merlyn Aborka to reinstate to their previous positions then-PENRO head Ivene Reyes, and employees Jonnie Adaniel, Alvaro Nonan, Nilo Subong, and Cesar Guarino.
Aborka received the order on Sept 30, 2020.
The memorandum also directed PENRO Aklan accountant Romnick Dalida and administrative officer Marlowe Fajanel to release the back salaries and benefits of Reyes and company.
Milla’s memo was an offshoot of an earlier memorandum from Atty. Ernesto Adobo, Jr., DENR’s Undersecretary for Legal, Administration, Human Resources, and Legislative Affairs, directing the reinstatement of Reyes, et al. and the release of their back salaries and other benefits.
Adobo’s directive stemmed from the January 15, 2020 decision of the Court of Appeals that amended its September 28, 2018 ruling against Reyes, et al.
The CA decision reversed and set aside the decision of the Ombudsman to dismiss Reyes and company.
The CA also absolved Reyes, et al. of any administrative liability.
Reyes continues to report to PENRO Aklan, but he has yet to receive his back salaries and benefits despite the orders from the CA and DENR national and regional offices.
Reyes’ legal counsel is poised to make legal moves to compel Aborka to enforce the orders.
