  We present a model of neutrino masses within the framework of the EW-$\nu_R$
model in which the experimentally desired form of the PMNS matrix is obtained
by applying an $A_4$ symmetry to the \emph{Higgs singlet sector} responsible
for the neutrino Dirac mass matrix. This mechanism naturally avoids potential
conflict with the LHC data which severely constrains the Higgs sector, in
particular the Higgs doublets. Moreover, by making a simple $ans\ddot{a}tz$ we
extract $\mathcal{M}_l {\mathcal{M}_l}^\dagger$ for the charged lepton sector.
A similar $ans\ddot{a}tz$ is proposed for the quark sector. The sources of
masses for the neutrinos are entirely different from those for the charged
leptons and for the quarks and this might explain why $U_{PMNS}$ is {\em very
different} from $V_{CKM}$.
