INTERNAL AUDIT. Arlan Mangelen, newly-designated Department of Agriculture 12 (Soccsksargen) executive director, confirms an ongoing audit by their central office on various programs and projects previously implemented in the region that had been flagged with some “issues and concerns”. He said on Tuesday (Feb. 18, 2020) that the audit covers a range of projects implemented by the agency, among them the Solar-Powered Irrigation System project. (PNA photo by Allen V. Estabillo)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The central office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched an audit on various programs and projects previously implemented in Region 12 or Soccsksargen that had been flagged with some “issues and concerns”.
Arlan Mangelen, newly-designated DA-12 executive director, said on Tuesday that the ongoing internal audit covers a range of projects implemented by the agency, among them the Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) project.
Mangelen did not disclose the details of the review but said his office has been validating and investigating recent incidents.
He cited an incident “last week involving employees of our office.”
Mangelen was referring to the disappearance of some PHP450,000 in cash reportedly intended for a SPIS project from a DA-12 bunkhouse. The incident was reported by the agency’s engineers to the Koronadal City police station.
“We’re focusing on internal procedures first. We will have administrative exhaustion within our office before resorting to outside (remedies),” he said in an interview with reporters.
A DA-12 source said the audit team has begun meeting with some stakeholders and project partners of the agency last Monday.
Mangelen, who formally assumed the DA-12 post on Tuesday, acknowledged that the “issues and concerns” with the previous projects had triggered various problems.
However, he noted that these are still “correctable and manageable” and “we just need to make things right.”
In his speech during the turnover ceremony, Mangelen appealed to DA-12 employees and local stakeholders to support the needed reforms at the agency so it can better serve the farmers and fisherfolk.
He said these are aimed to help realize President Rodrigo Duterte’s resolve to make farmers and fisherfolk in the country “prosperous”.
“Gusto natin ituwid and dapat na ituwid para maitawid natin ang mga farmers at fisherfolk (We will straighten those that need to be straightened to usher our farmers and fisherfolk to better lives),” Mangelen said.
The agency, he said, will continue to focus on the eight paradigms introduced by Agriculture Secretary William Dar to help “level up” the agriculture sector.
“This is basically (concentrated) on the provision of more support projects for farmers and fisherfolk, and leveling up mechanization to achieve industrialized farming in the country,” he said.
Mangelen was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte two weeks ago as new DA-12 executive director, replacing director Milagros Casis.
He had served as chief of staff of former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker and Maguindanao 1st District Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, political officer and consultant for Region 12 of Senator Francis Tolentino, director of Land Transportation Office 12, election officer of Cotabato City, and legal officer of the Department of Agrarian Reform 12. (PNA)
