NIA union sets aside call for ouster of Domingo

CABANATUAN CITY — The employees’ union of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) passed a resolution last Thursday, setting aside their earlier call for the ouster or resignation of NIA administrator Proceso Domingo.

In Resolution No. 9, the NIA Employees Association of the Philippines, led by its national president Antonio Reyes, said it was setting aside and holding in abeyance their call for the ouster or resignation of Domingo while his administration attempts to resolve the demands and issues raised by the union.

According to the union, Domingo, through a series of dialogues and consultations, has acted on some issues and has referred to concerned officials some of the employees’ problems that need long-term solutions.

"We are convinced that Administrator Domingo is now sincere in finding solutions to the issues," the resolution stated.

As a gesture of the union’s good faith for the positive actions taken by Domingo, the group said they are setting aside their call for his ouster or resignation.

"We are putting to rest all misunderstandings and differences, thereby restoring our commitment to support the NIA management," the union said.

The resolution came on the heels of an earlier resolution, Resolution No. 7, supposedly passed by the union itself withdrawing its support for Domingo and asking President Arroyo to replace him.

Curiously, Reyes was a signatory to the earlier resolution, which triggered a controversy since those who signed it came mostly from the NIA central office.

In the new resolution, the NIA union said it was forming a five-man committee that will continuously monitor, evaluate, present and discuss with the agency’s management all past and new issues and problems that may arise.

Besides Reyes, the other signatories to the new resolution were national vice president Victorino Aron; district presidents Dolores Nicer (Region 1), Juanito Jampil (Region 3), Regino Labucay (Region 4), Eduardo Yu (Region 5), Alejandro Culibar (Regions 7 and 8), Ambrosio Galanida (Region 10), Estela Buenaventura (Region 11), Willie Ablan (Region 12), John Cabilitasan (Region 13), Frank Fanged of the Cordillera Administrative Region; Freddie Toquero of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems; and sectoral representatives Carmelo Paderon, Romeo Solis, Rolando Galinato and Rogelio Miranda.