NIA’s no. 2 man quits post over agency ‘anomalies’

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The second highest official of the National Irrigation Administration has resigned from his post amid purported anomalies within the agency and the designation of former senator Francisco Pangilinan as presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization overseeing NIA and three other attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture.

          Acting senior deputy administrator Felix Razo tendered his resignation to DA Secretary Proceso Alcala in a letter dated May 5. Razo is the second in command at NIA which is headed by administrator Claro Maranan.

          Maranan did not comment on Razo’s resignation. But Lorna Grace Rosario, deputy administrator for finance, said it’s Razo’s prerogative to do so if he wants. 

          In his resignation letter, Razo told Alcala that the agency is now confronted with a nationwide controversy regarding the alleged anomalies and irregularities committed by three executive officials contained in a recent manifesto and mass actions by the NIA Employees Association of the Philippines and three other groups which called for an investigation by the Office of the President.

          Razo said that while Alcala’s office already conducted a dialogue with the concerned parties and the Office of the President has been investigating the allegations, the controversy is “negatively impacting on the integrity and credibility of the entire management team” of NIA.

     

     “Such unavoidable scenario has already cast serious doubt if the top management can still effectively and efficiently manage and govern the agency. Worst, there is already animosity, distrust and infraction amongst us. It appears that no solutions are in sight to mend fences among those with differing stance,” he said.

          Razo said as senior deputy administrator, the issue bothers him no end, adding it is now the defining moment to “subject ourselves to the fit and proper rule as senior executives” of NIA.     

          He said he is tendering his courtesy resignation to give Alcala a free hand in instituting the needed reforms in the agency.

          In offering to quit his post, Razo said his office has, in its little way, contributed to the policy reforms undertaken by the administration. Among which, he said, are the new strategic plan including vision, mission, objectives and strategies; the manual on corporate governance, rotation policy of NIA officials, revised delegation of authority among others.

          In a separate interview, Razo said NIA was already in a mess. “This  should come to an end otherwise it will destroy the organization,” he said.

He explained that government leaders should have the moral ascendancy to lead. “I submit myself to that protocol,” he said.

          Razo explained that his resignation was not irrevocable and that it’s up to Alcala to evaluate if he is still fit to rule. “Let’s respect his decision whatever it is,” he said.

          Asked if his resignation was meant as a shot at the leadership of Maranan, he said he was only concerned about himself. “In fact, my teamwork with Administrator Maranan and the NIA management team is okay,” he said. (Manny Galvez)