‘Wrong’ hiring of aggie exec invalidated

BESAO, Mountain Province – It would do well for public officials to review government laws on appointments.    

           

Take this case: On Feb. 22, 2010, Analyn N. Mangallay was appointed by Mayor Wellington B. Pooten of Besao to permanent status as municipal agricultural technologist (SG 10).

           

The appointment was then invalidated by the Civil Service Commission-Cordillera Administrative Region since Mangallay lacked the license to practice the  profession as an agriculturist.

           

Pooten filed an appeal or petition with the CSC Central Office to review the decision of CSC-Cordillera Administrative Region on said case.

           

The mayor reasoned out that since the specified position was not included in the list of agriculturist positions under CSC memorandum 19 s. 2007, municipal agricultural technologists should not be required to possess an agriculturist’s license.

           

Pooten also stated that, since Mangallay is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Career Service Professional, she is qualified for the position.

           

However, the CSC Central Office, in a decision dated June 28, 2012, affirmed the ruling of CSC-CAR that Mangallay’s appointment was not in order.

           

The CSC explained that the job description of the municipal agricultural technologist concurs with the definition of the practice of the agriculturist profession as stated in Republic Act No. 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997.

CSC noted that in performing the duties and functions of the agricultural technologist position, Mangallay will definitely be engaging in the practice of the profession of agriculture as she will “disseminate improved and updated agricultural technologies” which is an application of knowledge in agriculture and its components.

           

In addition, she will “coordinate and monitor the implementation of agricultural plans, programs and projects” which is akin to the preparation of plans and feasibility studies related to agriculture.

The resolution of the case has given clarity to the qualification standards for the appointment to agriculturist positions.

           

Director IV Fernando M. Porio, Cordillera CSC regional director recently ordered all CSC field offices to invalidate or disapprove appointments of municipal agricultural technologists who do not meet specific qualification standards of the position, especially the Agriculturist eligibility.