BACOLOD City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has designated Sally Abelarde as the new officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), effective February 7, 2023.

City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III said Wednesday, February 8, that Abelarde, assistant department head II, occupied the post of Pacita Tero, who retired from government service last month.

He said he had already discussed with Abelarde all the plans and programs of his administration.

Abelarde has been working at the DSSD office for almost 43 years and used to be an assistant to Tero.

She said they are now preparing for the implementation of programs in the community, adding that they have an ongoing sustainable livelihood program (SLP) in various barangays.

Meanwhile, Benitez also designated Victor Espina as the new officer-in-charge of the General Services Office (GSO) effective February 7.

Espina, supply officer IV of GSO, replaced Gilda Lluisma, who was reassigned to the Population and Development Office at the Bacolod City Government Center.

Maghari said the mayor was exercising his management prerogative and that he examined the capabilities of the department heads not only in the implementation of the projects but also in how they oversee their manpower.

"It’s part of our strategy to keep them motivated to maximize their talents," he said.