Dagupan City social welfare head sacked

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Mayor Benjamin Lim has approved the recommendation of a five-man probe panel dismissing the head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office from the service for dishonesty, grave misconduct and serious neglect in the performance of her duty.

The panel said it found substantial evidence to hold city social welfare chief Elsa Santillan administratively liable and is constrained to impose the penalty of dismissal from the service, as provided particularly by civil service laws.

The charges against Santillan stemmed from sworn affidavits executed by Sylvia Tandoc, Roda Remuto, Carlota Laparan and Nida Ramos.

Last Sept. 9, Santillan was placed under 60-day preventive suspension pending the investigation.

According to the panel, Santillan directed a subordinate, Josephine de Vera, to receive sums ranging from P50 daily to P300 monthly from kiosks and canteens operating within the compound of the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

It said the collection of any fee, regardless of the amount, without the requisite ordinance, provision of law or agency regulation, may be considered an illegal exaction or even extortion.

The panel also discovered the existence of expired goods in the warehouse of the city social welfare office.