Selling of school supplies:Capitol workers to face sanction

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the employee and the one who ordered to sell Capitol-funded school supplies to a junk shop in Mandaue City in order to clear the warehouse will meet disciplinary action, if proven guilty.

"Due process man gud. Kung kinsa man ang gi-identify, patubagon sad siya," Garcia said.

About 800 sets of school supplies and 130 books on the history of the different cities under the Province of Cebu amounting to about P34,000 were retrieved from a junk shop in Mandaue last July 5. These school supplies were leftover from the distribution during the opening of the school year.

The employee who sold the school supplies was assigned to the Hope Center warehouse where the items were stored.

He reportedly claimed that an order was given to him to clear the warehouse of the school supplies.

Bernard Calderon, Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) Officer-in-Charge, has confirmed that the PGSO he already identified their staff member who gave the order.

Since an investigation is ongoing, Calderon did not reveal the identity of the staff yet.

The findings of the initial investigation conducted by the PGSO are set to be forwarded today to the Committee on Discipline and Investigation.

Gwen expressed her frustration at the selling of the capitol-funded history books and school supplies.

"I was at a loss for words pagkakita nako. Murag kahilakon kaayo ko," Garcia said.

The governor added that the issue is only a reflection of what has become of the Capitol.

"I couldn't believe these Capitol employees have degenerated to such depths," she added.

The governor was also surprised why the school supplies were not distributed in the first place.

"Mas interesado pa diay ta tag pila atong makuha o makita sa nianang pag bid out nato kaysa mismo ang purpose ngano ato nang gipa bid out for," she said referring to the former administration's priorities in the procurement and distribution of the supplies.

The employee is still on a floating status where he is prohibited from receiving tasks.

He has also been reassigned back to the Provincial Capitol warehouse from his previous assignment in the Hope Center. — GAN (FREEMAN)