Lomibao welcomes proposal to fix term of NIA chief

Retired former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Arturo Lomibao, who took over the helm of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) yesterday, welcomed proposals for a fixed term for the NIA administrator to ensure continuity in the agency’s programs, particularly on irrigation development.

In a STAR interview following the turnover ceremonies at the NIA central office in Quezon City, Lomibao, however, said it is up to Congress to approve such a fixed term for the NIA chief.

Lomibao took over as the NIA’s 14th administrator from Baltazar Usis who headed the agency for 11 months.

Proposals for such a fixed term for the NIA administrator were raised due to the frequent replacement of the agency’s chief.

Over the last three years, NIA, a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Department of Agriculture, has been run by four administrators — Jesus Emmanuel Paras, Proceso Domingo, Usis, and now, Lomibao.

To carry out such a fixed term, insiders said the NIA charter may have to be overhauled.

During the program, a female NIA employee, who led the invocation, implored God to "give us a NIA administrator who would stay with us for quite some time because continuity is a necessity."

Lomibao said the prayer touched him, saying he favors continuity. He said he would stay in the NIA for as long as the employees and the President want him there.

The turnover ceremonies were marred by the non-appearance of Usis’ benefactor, Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban, who had opposed his removal.

Panganiban sits as chairman of the NIA board, the agency’s highest policy-making body.

According to reports, Panganiban might have decided to boycott the turnover in disgust over Usis’ sudden replacement while he was abroad.

A few months ago, Panganiban resented the appointment of two assistant NIA administrators without his approval and while he was overseas.

According to an NIA insider, Lomibao could have replaced Usis last week, but the turnover was deferred on orders of Panganiban who asked that the two officials wait for his arrival.

"What he (Panganiban) wanted was for him and the NIA officials to first thresh out the unresolved issue on the two assistant administrators before any turnover could be made," the source said.

In an Aug. 8 letter to Presidential Management Staff chief Arthur Yap, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, Panganiban bewailed reports that Usis would be replaced.

He said the NIA had been highly politicized as mentioned in the findings of the National Agriculture and Fishery Summit.

Panganiban bewailed that political appointees had been named to NIA positions "which require professional civil engineers to oversee repair, rehabilitation and maintenance of the system, either national, communal or local small water impounding dams or river dikes."

"In some instances," he added, "projects are not completed because of corruption and the inability of former administrators to comprehend the value of water to rice agriculture."

In batting for Usis’ retention, Panganiban said Usis had shown his capability to govern with honesty and integrity. "I don’t want to change a system that is already working," he added.

"Another change after a year of duty will result in rank dissension, demoralization and the NIA will again be focused as a graft-ridden organization," he said.

But when sought for comment through his mobile phone, Panganiban, however, was singing a different tune.

He denied that he boycotted the turnover rites nor was he opposed to Lomibao’s appointment.

He said he just arrived from a grueling 30-hour trip from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at 11 p.m. Tuesday night and was so spent to attend the turnover.

"I just arrived so I could not come. Anyway, I instructed Undersecretary (Fred Serrano) to continue the turnover and to effect a smooth transition," he said.

"The President has already decided so why would I oppose? I will support Gen. Lomibao; there’s no problem," he added.