Dela Cruz and Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Arnold I. Palacios were at the governor’s office yesterday waiting for their turn to meet with Fitial who was swearing in Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson and Public Safety Commissioner Ramon Mafnas at 3 p.m.
Dela Cruz wanted to discuss his resignation with Fitial but did not have the chance to see the governor who was too tied up with other meetings.
Dela Cruz was supposed to leave for Waikiki, Hawaii at 4:30 p.m. to attend the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meeting there.
In an interview, Dela Cruz said the governor did not allow him to go. Fitial, he added, wanted Palacios to attend the meeting instead.
The governor, he said explained to him that he, Dela Cruz, should stay to help the administration address issues concerning his department.
Dela Cruz said if he cannot attend important meetings, he cannot continue as DLNR head.
Attending such meetings are part of the continuing education required for government officials, he said.
A few weeks ago, Dela Cruz attended a two-week training on food safety and inspection service hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Burbank, California.
“I am willing to step down as the DLNR secretary,” he said.
He said he will continue to serve the commonwealth as a veterinarian.
Press Secretary Angel A. Demapan said Dela Cruz had submitted his resignation letter to the governor. The letter did not indicate why Dela Cruz was resigning, Demapan added.
The governor, Demapan said, had not read the letter as of 4 p.m. because he was still in a series of meetings with different administration officials.
