DENR employee axed for anomalous deals

CEBU, Philippines - An employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was dismissed from service for allegedly engaging in anomalous transactions.

Sonny Dimatulac, coordinator of CENRO Sipalay City's National Greening Program (NGP), was accused of facilitating the preparation, approval and release and encashment of checks for the NGP implementation with the use of a fictitious contract.

In a 9-page decision dated May 7, 2014 signed by DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Jim Sampulna, Dimatulac was dismissed after being found guilty of grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In a DENR-6 press statement, aside from Dimatulac, PENRO-Negros Occidental cashier Flordeliza Guevarra and Sipalay City's CENR Officer Arvi Fernando were meted the penalty of reprimand after being found guilty of violation of office rules and regulations and failure to exact the prudence and diligence in the implementation of the program.

The administrative case stemmed after Sampulna's office received reports on June 1, 2013 alleging anomalous transaction involving NGP-related projects and funds, by facilitating the following:

Preparation, signing and notarization of the subject Letter of Agreement purposely for the production of 11,200 seedlings of ornamental trees which has an equivalent budget of P800,000 without the knowledge of Rodolfo Gavan, president of San Rafael Upland Farmers Association (SRUFA);

Preparation, approval and release of the 15 percent mobilization fund upon signing of the contract amounting to P126,000 without the knowledge of Gavan; and

Preparation and approval of the 55 percent equivalent of fund amounting to P462,000 for the purchase of materials for seedling production without the knowledge of Gavan.

They were also accused of facilitating the withdrawals from the office cashier and conversions of checks with an amount of P126,000 and P336,000 without the knowledge of Gavan.

The fact-finding team found out that there was no existing contract between the PENRO-Negros Occidental and SRUFA of Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, and that Gavan has not received the checks and encashment released under his name.