A provincial tourism officer and four other employees of the Negros Occidental Provincial Government have been suspended for six months.

Cheryl Decena, provincial tourism officer, and four other employees received their copies of the suspension order on October 21, 2025 signed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

The other workers under suspension are three disbursing officers identified as Mark de la Cruz, Ester Jane Ignacio, Alfredo Tolosa III, and an officer of the Recreation and Welfare Services identified as April Love Wee.

According to Decena, the decision of the governor came as a surprise as required documents were submitted reportedly on the set deadline last January 20, 2024.

The suspension is based on an administrative case for alleged neglect of duty because of failure to liquidate cash advances of Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in 2023 with Decena as officer in charge.

“We submitted everything. Those were official accounting papers. I even gave a summary kay Gov [Lacson]. Ang summary ko consisted of all OR [official receipt] numbers and then the summary of the receipts. They were liquidated as early as April 3,” Decena said.

Based on the Provincial Tracking System, the status of the liquidation is marked "approved" on April 3, 2024. Despite the said status, a show cause order was issued against Decena and the other employees on May 14, 2024.

The governor said that the provincial tourism officer and four others can file their appeal. 

“It’s always been my policy especially with our government employees. She still has her remedies, she can file her appeal. She can always use that as a justification for her motion to reconsideration. All our decisions always pass through a process,” Lacson said.

Decena and the four employees are set to file their motion for reconsideration.