Dismissed Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) general manager, Mona Dia Jardin was barred from entering her office today allegedly upon orders of acting general manager, Engr. Michael Soliva.
Jardin was removed from office through a board resolution passed last August 22, declaring the expiration of her term and loss of confidence as among the reasons.
Remaining defiant in what she tagged as “an illegal act” by the board, Jardin vowed that she is preparing to counter the board’s decision through legal means but will continue to report for work even if she will not be allowed inside the BACIWA premises.
In a press conference she called for yesterday, August 27, Jardin said that on August 26, security guards attempted to block her entry to her office. However, she was able to enter the premises and talked to Soliva who told her that he is just following directives from the board.
But yesterday, she was not anymore allowed inside and was told that BACIWA will remove all her belongings and return it to her as soon as possible.
Jardin centered on the technicality of the resolution stating that as per minutes of the board meeting last August 22, there was no notice in the agenda that a resolution removing her from office was indicated. She was present during the early part of the board meeting but was sent out from the room and only received the resolution at past 5 P.M. of that day dismissing her from office effectively immediately and appointing Soliva as acting general manager.
“They (BACIWA board) even passed the resolution without suspending the rules,” Jardin said.
While she acknowledged that she serves at the pleasure of the BACIWA board, Republic Act 9286 states that removal from office can be done with just cause and after due process.
“There was never any complaint, nor an investigation, allowing me to air my side on whatever they are accusing me,” said Jardin, adding that she cannot believe this could be done to her “after everything I’ve done for BACIWA.”
She added that her legal battle is not hers alone but for all General Managers in the same situation as I am and for all employees who are “demoralized” because of what happened.
“The board is talking about my expiration of term but as far as I am concerned, my term of office is until 2028,” said Jardin.
She also said that contrary to the board’s alleged claim that she has not done anything to impose sanctions against Prime Water, Jardina claimed that she has made recommendations but “said sanctions must come from the board as the policy making body, directing me to impose sanctions as my role is to merely implement directives coming the board.”
She also cited that among the reasons listed for her dismissal was the non-payment of back wages due to the 59 former employees who were deemed “redundant” as they refused to join Prime Water and rejected the offer of early retirement, leading to the filing of cases against BACIWA.
That case, said Jardin, is already with the Court of Appeals. However, she said that she even supported the move for reconciliation and has reported that the agency has P50 million of the P101 million being sought by the claimants in payment for back wages but cautioned the board to wait for the final decision from the Court of Appeals.
She also said that she was able to talk to Bacolod Representative Albee Benitez and Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya but did not disclosed what was discussed.
This, Jardin said, is “history repeating itself.” She added that BACIWA does not deserve this. “I really respect my workplace and I intend to there every day because I am telling them that I am still the GM.”