CEBU CITY – Eight officials of the Port Management Office (PMO)-Bohol were sacked for partying in their office on August 16.
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago ordered the relief of PMO-Bohol Manager Lord Tyrone Agaton, PMO-Bohol Port Services Division Manager Julius Jumangit, Atty. Sherlito Columnas Jr. of the Legal Department, and Safety Officer Atty. Romeo Cabading II.
Also relieved were five port police officers – Edcel E. Epan, Victor B. Cagulada, Mary Maricka R. Aguirre, Meljann B. Oronan, and Emily Ross C. Tubio.
The eight PMO-Bohol officials were among those caught partying in the multi-purpose hall of the PMO-Bohol office during the birth anniversary celebration of Agaton.
In a statement posted on the PPA Facebook page, Santiago condemned the actions of the PMO-Bohol officials.
"Wala puwang sa pamahalaan ang mga opisyal na ginagawang inuman ang opisina, kahit birthday o anumang okasyon hindi dapat umiinom ng alak sa opisina. Dapat nga sila pa mismo ang nangunguna sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa pantalan at hindi nangunguna sa pagiging hindi magandang ehemplo sa kanilang mga nasasakupan sa Bohol (There is no place in the government those officials who use offices for drinking sessions even during birthdays or any occasions, drinking alcoholic drinks in offices should be avoided. They should be the ones who should lead in ensuring orderliness in the port and not set bad examples for their people in Bohol),” said Santiago.
Santiago added it was a good thing that there was a surveillance system in all ports that can be monitored by the PPA head office.
“Patunay lamang ito na hindi tayo nagpapabaya sa ating tungkulin na ayusin ang pantalan at mga kawani nito at patunay rin ito na seryoso tayo sa pagsasaayos ng 130 na pantalan nationwide (It shows that we are not taking for granted our duties to make our ports and our personnel in order and this is a proof that we are serious in keeping our 130 ports nationwide in order),” said Santiago.