Salcedo seeks explanation from COWD about Beja’s dismissal

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

COUNCILOR Enrico Salcedo on Tuesday sought an explanation from the Cagayan de Oro Water District about the dismissal of Engr. Rachel Beja as its general manager.

Salcedo said this after Beja faced the city council’s public utilities committee where she raised questions about the circumstances surrounding her dismissal.

Salcedo said there were questions about the COWD board’s basis in removing Beja. He said the COWD needs to explain what the board meant with “loss of trust and confidence.”

He asked COWD chairman Eduardo Montalvan and the four other members of the utility’s board to face the committee and explain their side.

Salcedo said Beja’s dismissal should be openly discussed because it is a matter that is of public interest.

“Nakita nako nga dunay public interest sa gi-ingon ni Beja,” said Salcedo even as he pointed out that the dismissed COWD executive cited her move to have the joint venture agreement between COWD-Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp. reviewed as a reason for her removal.

He said that the grounds for the termination of Engr. Beja are not enough since she is doing her duty as the general manager of the water distribution firm, he said.

“Kita dinhi sa konseho gusto lamang og kamatuoran ug plastar nga pagpadagan og pag-implementar sa atong balaod kay kita isip mga tingog sa atong katawhan sa dakbayan. Dili ako makatugot nga malapasan ug masapawan ang atong katungod isip tawo,” he said.

Beja told the committee that she merely asked the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel to review the then proposed agreement, and because of that, she was accused of discourtesy by the COWD board.

Beja questioned what she pointed out was a late reaction — she asked that the OGCC review it on Feb. 14, 2017, was told about the supposed “discourtesy” on Jan. 8, 2018, and was given a show-cause ordered on Feb. 5, 2018. By the end of February, she was dismissed.

“Usa ka tuig na ayha pa sila mohimo sa ingon ani,” Beja said.

She maintained that he move to seek a OGCC review was proper.

“As a matter of fact, naa ta’y board resolution for review sa OGCC. Wala lang siguro nila nagustuhan kay naay naka-highlight,” she said.