DA-7 employees might work "building-less"

CEBU, Philippines - Employees of the regional office of the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas will soon find themselves “building-less” if ever they cannot find a building which they can rent after the end of this month.

However, DA-7 regional director Ricardo Oblena is optimistic that they can find one before that happens.

“DA as of now cannot afford to construct a new building. We will just look for a building where we can rent,” Oblena said after they were given until the end of this month by the Cebu provincial government to vacate the area.

DA-7 is currently occupying a province-owned lot which is also presently occupied by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas and several other buildings.

The provincial agricultural office will occupy the said spot. The province motorpool and depot is also located in the same area.

The vacated office will also be the future site of the Court of Appeals.

Oblena said that over 200 employees will be affected by the said transfer.

There are also around 80 families, majority of them are DA employees, who are currently living in the area.

The FREEMAN tried to contact DA Secretary Arthur Yap as to his actions on this matter, but he was not available as of this writing. Earlier, provincial lawyer Marino Martinquilla met with DA-7 and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement which “obligated DA-7 to vacate the place on or before September 30 of last year.” Oblena said that because of the lack of funds, they were not able to transfer on the agreed date. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)