2 OICs worsen SPDA woes

DAVAO CITY — The designation of two officers-in-charge has once again widened the rift at the already trouble-stricken Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA).

The new stand-off at the development agency stemmed from the designation of Essa Bayani by the SPDA board of directors as OIC while administrator Habib Mujahab Hashim designated Exsuan Dagbusan to the same post.

Work at the SPDA has been stalled as employees have been affected by the conflicting designation, not knowing whom to follow. A number of SPDA employees also refused to report for work due to the confusion.

Police and military personnel have also been deployed at the SPDA facility in Barangay Catalunan Pequeño to ease the tension between the supporters of the two conflicting parties.

Hashim has been at odds with the members of the SPDA board, headed by Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, over alleged fiscal mismanagement and other financial anomalies. Hashim accused Sema’s group of overspending by incurring hotel bills amounting to P1.6 million for a period of less than 10 days.

The board of directors, on the other hand, alleged that Hashim has been abusing his authority as SPDA administrator and has committed questionable disbursements. The board members accused Hashim of having disregarded the corporate rules and regulations of the agency in discharging his functions.

Sema’s group, that pushed for the ouster of Hashim, insisted on the legality of the designation of Bayani while Dagbusan stood his ground.