A new Negros Occidental provincial social welfare and development officer has be appointed but permanent heads of three departments have yet to be named.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has appointed Chiqui A. Gonzales permanent provincial social welfare officer, which will have to be concurred by the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlungsod, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Thursday, June 29.
She served as a consultant at the Hinigaran local government and was a social welfare official of the short-lived Negros Island Region, Diaz said.
Meanwhile, the resignation of Edmundo Raul Causing as head of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) will take effect at the end of July, Diaz said.
He said a OPA officer-in-charge may be appointed effective August 1 until a permanent OPA head is found.
Causing, who resigned after one year and four months in office, cited health reasons.
The governor is looking for an OPA head who is proactive since food security is really one of the important flagship programs of his administration, Diaz said.
“We cannot simply rely on existing programs, we have to innovate and improve on what we have already gained,” he said.
A lot of incidents involving OPA employees who are still under investigation happened during Causing’s watch, Diaz said.
Also yet to be appointed are a permanent provincial health officer and veterinarian, Diaz said.
Both departments are currently headed by persons appointed in OIC capacities, he pointed out.*