GMA reinstates relieved NIA official; employees raise protest

CABANATUAN CITY — President Arroyo has reinstated to his old post a former assistant administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reportedly without the knowledge of Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban and NIA administrator Baltazar Usis.

The move has triggered a storm of protest from the 7,000-strong NIA Employees Association of the Philippines (NIAEASP).

Mrs. Arroyo’s re-appointment of lawyer Juan Agapito Tria as assistant administrator for administrative services has met stiff opposition from Panganiban and Usis, who were apparently bypassed by Malacañang.

As standard operating procedure, the agriculture secretary endorses the appointment of any NIA official to Malacañang. The agriculture secretary sits as chairman of the NIA board, the agency’s policy-making body.

Tria was designated assistant administrator for administrative services last January but was relieved four months later. He was re-appointed to his old post last June 7, replacing Carlos Salazar, who was in turn named assistant administrator for systems operation and equipment management.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita transmitted Tria’s appointment paper, and Salazar’s, too, to the agriculture secretary’s office a week later. The two assumed their posts last June 28.

NIA sources told The STAR that the appointment of the two officials was reportedly made while Panganiban was abroad.

In effect, Malacañang reportedly disregarded the recommendations of Usis, who had endorsed Edilberto Payawal, a career executive service officer (CESO), and Salazar as assistant administrators for operations and administrative services, respectively.

One of the sources said Panganiban was surprised to learn about the twin appointments when he returned from his trip and confronted Ermita about them.

Documents obtained by The STAR showed that Tria and Salazar took their oaths of office as new administrators before Executive Judge Luisito Sardillo of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 126 in Caloocan City.

Lawyer Lemuel de Guzman, legal consultant of the administrator’s office, said Tria’s re-appointment has not only demoralized CESOs but has sown confusion among the rank-and-file since he has reportedly been at odds with Usis.

Antonio Reyes, NIAEASP president, expressed alarm over the developments. "Imagine reinstating somebody who has been replaced? They are treating the NIA like an ordinary agency. This is embarrassing to the President."

Reyes said their group is not questioning the President’s prerogative but is surprised that Tria and Salazar immediately assumed their respective posts without Panganiban’s endorsement.

Tria and Salazar were both unavailable for comment.