Liza M. Quirog, MNSA, has been reinstated as the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) chief, effective August 19, 2024, pending the resolution of her appeal before the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Quirog’s return to office comes after she was reassigned by Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado in May 2024 to serve as the focal person for Oplan Agri Audit Compliance of the Provincial Government.
Quirog subsequently filed an appeal with the CSC, contesting the reassignment.
In July 2024, the CSC released an order directing the governor to reinstate Quirog as OPA chief pending the resolution of the appeal.
CSC also ordered the provincial government to submit pertinent documents and its position on the issue within 10 days.
Speaking on Ardy Araneta-Batoy’s Newsmakers ug Uban Pa over DYTR on August 22, 2024, Quirog shared updates on her return to office.
She revealed that she had met with Provincial Administrator Aster Caberte, Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay, and Chief-of-Staff, lawyer Filipina Piollo, to discuss her functions both as OPA head and focus on Oplan Agri Audit compliance.
Quirog will allow Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry Pamugas to complete the projects he started. However, as department head, Quirog will exercise oversight on these projects.
Prior to her temporary departure, Quirog ensured a smooth transition to minimize the impact on employee morale and stress.
She expressed her hope to continue implementing OPA projects lined up for 2024.
The CSC order, issued by lawyer Ariel Bacatan of CSC Central Visayas, pointed out that the governor’s reassignment order is not final and executory pending the resolution of Quirog’s appeal.
Quirog’s reinstatement is a breaking development in the ongoing saga, and her return to office is expected to bring stability and continuity in Bohol’s agri projects and programs.