LAWYER Kenneth Ian Lucero has been appointed new director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cebu provincial office.

Lucero paid a courtesy call to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in her office at the Capitol after his appointment and expressed his desire to work closely with the governor for the betterment of Cebu.

"Isip bag-ong (As new) provincial director sa probinsya sa Sugbo (of the province of Cebu), I assure the honorable governor Gwen Garcia and the Cebu Provincial Government nga naa mi diri (that we in the) DILG Cebu Province nga mo (are here to) serve as development partner for all the local government units of Cebu province, its component cities and barangays," Lucero said.

Lucero will replace his wife Jhoaden, who will be transferred to Luzon as assistant director of the DILG-Bicol.

Lucero was former director of DILG Cebu City.

The DILG is the primary government office responsible for maintaining peace and order, public safety and training the capacity of local government units to better provide more effective services to the people.

Government agencies under its control are the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. (ANV, TPT)