PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Valenzuela City Representative Rex Gatchalian as the new secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
Gatchalian took his oath before Marcos in Malacañang on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
“Mr. President, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be able to serve the country in a much larger capacity,” the new DSWD chief said in a Twitter post.
“Valenzuelanos, the services of our Congress and district offices will not change. Tuloy-tuloy po ang serbisyo. Please don't worry. Business as usual. A caretaker will be appointed by the House of Representatives in the coming days,” he added.
Gatchalian served as the mayor of Valenzuela City for nine years.
Under his watch, the city was included in the top 10 most outstanding local governance programs in Galing Pook Awards in 2021.
Gatchalian was also recognized for his programs for social protection and disaster response.
He will be replacing Erwin Tulfo, whose appointment was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments twice over citizenship issues, as well as conviction over libel in 2000. (SunStar Philippines)