QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Mar Roxas is set to pass on the leadership of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to Western Samar Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento in a turnover ceremony on Friday (September 11) to be held at the DILG headquarters in Quezon City.
As the new DILG Secretary, Sarmiento, who has more than two decades’ worth of experience in public service, is expected to bring his brand of leadership and good governance to the table in accordance with the tenets of the Aquino administration’s Daang Matuwid.
“Siya po ay marami pong mga award sa international, sa mga city, and metropolis development. Kaya nakikita po niya ‘yung mas malawak na perspektiba sa development ng isang local government,” Roxas said about his successor.
Sarmiento, who will be in charge of overseeing the local government units as well as the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, earlier announced that he is ready to “accept any challenge” that will enable the continuation of Daang Matuwid.
According to DILG Undersecretary for Local Governmnent Austere Panadero, the officials and employees of the department support Sarmiento’s appointment as they believe he would be able to sustain the reforms initiated by Roxas in the local government, peace and order, and public safety sectors.
“Just like his predecessors in the DILG, Secretary Sarmiento is very much qualified for the post, owing to his wide experience in government service both as a local chief executive and as a national legislator,” said Panadero.
Sarmiento began serving the public as the vice mayor of Calbayog City from 1992 to 1995. Heeding the clamor of his constituents, he then served as mayor in 2001, holding the position for three consecutive terms. During his time as mayor, he was elected as the Secretary General of the League of Cities of the Philippines for two terms. He currently serves as the Secretary-General of the Liberal Party as well as the representative of the first district of Western Samar.
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