Bacolod City Assistant Engineer Ephraem Hechanova has been designated by Mayor Monico Puentevella as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Building Official while the suspension of acting OBO head Isidro Sun Jr. is being implemented.

The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas has ordered the filing of criminal case before the court againstSun and building inspector Jose Maria Makilan of the OBO, and also meted them the penalty of suspension from the service without pay for six months and one day, after finding them guilty of the administrative offense of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The criminal case was ordered filed after finding probable cause to indict them for falsification of official document.

Regional Trial Court Branch 53 Associate Prosecutor Maria Lina Gonzaga had also denied the urgent motion to stay filing of information and warrant of arrest issued against Sun and Makilan in the criminal case for falsification of official document filed against them.

Complaints for violation of the Revised Penal Code and Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and for administrative charges of grave misconduct and acts prejudicial to the interest of the City of Bacolod were filed against Sun, before the Office of the Ombudsman on October 30.

The complaint filed by Sharon Gayanelo, Cary Memoria and Glenda Pajes, in charge of the OBO Architectural Section, Structural Section and Plumbing and Sanitary Section, respectively, involved the application of Mainstream Business, Inc. on June 25 with the OBO for a business permit for the expansion of Building B of the North Wing of SM City-Bacolod.

Puentevella had issued a memorandum implementing the order for the “immediate suspension” of Sun and Makilan for six months and one day without pay only starting January 1.

Meanwhile, Hechanova, who was also former acting OBO head during the previous administration, assumed office Friday.

In his memorandum dated January 7, Puentevella said the designation of Hechanova as acting OBO head is over and above his current position as assistant City Engineer of the City Engineer’s Office.

Puentevella also designated City Legal Officer ll Hermilo Paoyon as officer-in-charge of the Office of the City Agriculture effective January 5, while he has given City Agriculturist Goldwyn Nifras a special assignment.

In his memorandum dated December 29, 2014, Puentevella requested Nifras to study, submit recommendations and, if eventually found to be viable, pursue the establishment of a Bacolod City Model Farm at the city’s 2.3 hectare property in Brgy. Alijis.

Nifras was also tasked by the mayor to conduct research and development on new technologies in organic farming and food security.*CGS

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