Ex-disaster risk management head rejoins Capitol

AFTER leaving public office in 2014, former Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Neil Angelo Sanchez will have his position back and will be working again for the Provincial Government.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia asked Sanchez to return to the Capitol as the latter has the “expertise and experience” to manage the PDRRMO.

“We have already informed him that he will be heading the division of the PDRRMO. We used to work with him when I created the Disaster Management Council during my earlier term,” Garcia said on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019.

From having department status, the PDRRMO, Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (Cpadao), Provincial Tourism Office and the Cebu Provincial Investment and Promotions Office (CPIPO) were downgraded into divisions through the passage of an ordinance on Aug. 19, 2019.

At least 34 employees, including department heads, were affected by the development.

Five employees, including Cpadao chief Carmen Remedios “Ivy” Durano-Meca and PDRRMO head Baltazar Tribunalo, opted to leave government service, said Capitol placement committee member Rory John Sepulveda.

On the other hand, the 29 other personnel, including CPIPO head Floreza Alpuerto, were still willing to work for the Capitol.

Garcia said Sanchez will formally start working as division head next month.

“He is willing to join us. He just needs to put his affairs in order. He brings with him years of experience in disaster management,” she added.

Sanchez resigned as PDRRMO chief in March 2014 and opted to leave government service in order to focus on his private businesses. He was in public office for 16 years.

The governor said she has yet to decide on who will lead Cpadao.

Alpuerto, on the other hand, might sit as CPIPO officer-in-charge for the time being.

The four departments will officially start functioning as divisions on Nov. 18. (RTF)