CSC orders reinstatement of PSWDO chief

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Government may have to reinstate a former department head after the Civil Service Commission backed the official’s appeal to stay in her office and position.

In her letter to Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, former head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Marivic Garces, informed him of the Notice of Decision she received from the CSC.

According to the decision of CSC as stated in Garces’ letter, “the appeal of Marivic Garces, PSWDO officer, Provincial Government of Cebu, is granted. Accordingly, the memorandum 2013-09 dated January 7, 2013 of Acting Cebu Governor Agnes Magpale, reassigning her to the Cebu Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) effective immediately, is set aside and declared not in order.”

It also noted that “the provincial governor is hereby ordered to immediately reinstate Garces to her original position as PSWD officer at the PSWDO.”

Garces was head of the PSWDO for nine years under the administration of then governor and now third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia.

When Garcia was slapped with a six-month suspension in December, then acting governor and now Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale transferred Garces to the IPHO and assigned Evelyn Senajon as officer-in-charge of the office.

With this, Garces filed for an appeal to the CSC.

When Garcia returned though after six months, she reinstated Garces to the office but after the May elections and when Davide started his term at the Capitol, Garces was transferred to the office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

From PDRRMC, Garces was subsequently transferred to the Danao District Hospital last August.

Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera said that they have received the letter from Garces.

“The provincial government is seeking reconsideration of the Civil Service decision,” Natera