PRESIDENTIAL Commission For The Urban Poor (PCUP) Commissioner Norman Baloro confirmed he will be joining the Office of outgoing Davao City Mayor and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.
In a public Facebook post on his personal account on Wednesday, June 29, Baloro thanked Duterte for including him to be a part of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
"I am so grateful to be part of your administration. I sincerely appreciate your kindness in helping me get here," he said.
The commissioner recalled working with the Davao City government, which gave him "the skills, knowledge, competence and genuine dedication" to accept the higher position.
"I promise to work hard to maintain the confidence and trust you have shown in me. Daghang Salamat," he said.
Baloro served as one of the project coordinators of the city's Covid-19 social programs such as Eskwela Davao, and Eswela Davao.
Work for Davao is an emergency employment cash for work for individuals who were terminated, laid off, or with foreclosed businesses or offices due to the restrictions imposed to mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic, while Eskwela Davao is an educational assistance program for the children of workers who are currently employed but salaries have been reduced by a skeleton workforce arrangement in their offices due to the pandemic.
Baloro had earlier confirmed his appointment in the OVP to SunStar Davao earlier this month. However, he declined to disclose it at that time for he was not yet at liberty to publicize it.
The official said he will be working under the Public Assistance Division.
His term as PCUP commissioner for Mindanao will end on Thursday, June 30, and his work under OVP will start the next day.
He also shared that some of the Davao City government department heads will also be assuming their positions under Duterte's office the next day. He declined to give names of the officials.
Baloro was appointed by the incoming vice president's father, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018. Prior to his national appointment, he served as Davao City Social Services Development Office (now City Social Welfare and Development Office) Buhangin District head.
Duterte, in a press conference on June 20, also declined to name the officials who will be joining her office, and that their names will only be disclosed once they take an oath.
In a previous radio interview, the outgoing mayor revealed that four high-ranking city government heads had joined the OVP, but she also declined to name them. RGL