Reassigned Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog insists that she requested a P10 million budget for cloud seeding and provided a breakdown of the project costs.

She clarified the matter with Ardy Araneta-Batoy on the “Newsmakers ug Uban Pa” program on June 27, 2024, addressing the P10 million cloud seeding budget that has drawn attention from a third district Board Member.

Quirog explained that she facilitated a request for a cloud seeding budget from the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) amounting to P7.5 million, plus the P2.5 million already allocated from the preparedness portion of the calamity fund of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

The cloud seeding was planned to be implemented over six months at P2.5 million per two months, totaling P7.5 million. Combined with the Capitol’s budget, the total proposed by Quirog for cloud seeding was P10 million for eight months.

Quirog stated that the BSWM transferred P5 million to the Capitol’s coffers. In an earlier interview, she mentioned that these downloaded funds were used to pay for cloud seeding costs.

Quirog is uncertain about the status of the additional P2.5 million, as the BSWM only committed to providing P5 million. “There was no further discussion about the additional P2.5 million,” she said.

She reiterated that she indeed requested a total projected budget of P10 million for cloud seeding to address the effects of El Niño.

The budget question arose following Board Member Nathaniel Binlod’s privilege speech on June 25, 2024, during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP). Binlod claimed that The Bohol Tribune’s headline, “P10M cloud seeding unnecessary: Quirog,” was a “blatant, deliberate, and willful intent to mislead the public.”

However, Binlod’s Facebook post omitted Quirog’s name as the source in the headline, potentially altering the presentation of facts. The issue is not whether the government spent P10 million or less on cloud seeding, but that Quirog requested a total of P10 million for the project, as she stated in recent radio interviews.

Clashing?

Quirog was reassigned in May 2024 to be the focal person on audit observations from the Commission on Audit (COA). However, her transfer appears to have been prompted by an alleged prior incident at the Capitol.

The reassignment order came from suspended Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado. Quirog has since appealed the transfer order with the Civil Service Commission. As part of due process, the respondents to Quirog’s appeal need to file their reply.

Prior to Quirog’s transfer, an incident reportedly occurred at the Capitol between her and Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte.

Backstory

During her appearance on “Newsmakers ug Uban Pa” on June 27, 2024, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy, Quirog provided a brief timeline of events leading to her reassignment.

Quirog stated that on April 24, 2024, Caberte called her to a meeting, which she attended in her capacity as Provincial Agriculturist. The meeting concerned cloud seeding operations. Quirog confirmed that she and Caberte exchanged ideas during this meeting.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), which Quirog led at the time, was the end-user of the cloud seeding project. The OPA is currently led by OIC Larry Pamugas.

Quirog said she made recommendations during the April meeting, particularly regarding travelling expenses for Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel. She suggested that Caberte sign the disbursement, as Quirog declined to do so herself.

As the end-user familiar with relevant laws and regulations, Quirog understood that the PAF could use its own air assets to transport its troops. Additionally, the Agriculture Promotion Center (APC) offers accommodation for PAF personnel.

When Quirog communicated with PAF officials, they only requested food expenses in addition to accommodation. She declined to provide PAF personnel with travel allowances, as the Air Force already has assets to transport its soldiers.

Other Capitol officials present at the meeting included Provincial Internal Audit Officer May Limbaga, Department of Agriculture-7 representative Cecile Opada, and Provincial Procurement Management Unit (PPMU) head Paul Rabuya.

Quirog maintained that nothing unusual occurred during the meeting. When she declined to sign the disbursement paper for PAF travel reimbursement expenses, Caberte hinted that she would sign the document instead. Caberte also requested that Quirog’s decision not to sign be put in writing.

Quirog wrote a letter detailing her decision not to sign the disbursement document. While other Capitol officials agreed to reimburse PAF personnel for accommodation and travel expenses, Quirog stands by her decision not to do so, stating that any additional expense should be charged as additional flight time to maximize the project.

Quirog noted that the cost per flight was P81,000, based on the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) costing.

Reports indicate that Opada suggested Quirog had no right to communicate with the PAF, which Quirog disputed, citing her role as the project’s end-user and her accountability for its implementation.

Reassigned

On May 10, 2024, Quirog received notification of her reassignment. However, on May 8, 2024, she had questioned Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay about the need to pay a 50% down payment to the aircraft Shuttle Air services, noting it violated Republic Act 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), which only allows a 15% mobilization fund.

The reassignment order was issued on May 9, 2024, and delivered to Quirog on May 10, 2024.

Quirog stated that when she protested about the 50% down payment, after a few days she was informed that the aircraft was out of service.