“HE (Rexlon Gatchalian) is more than just a dedicated, passionate, and hardworking public servant, he is an inspiration for hope especially, in times of need.”
This was the reaction of Bacolod City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya Wednesday, May 17, after the Commission on Appointments (CA) already confirmed the ad interim appointment of former Valenzuela chief and representative Rexlon Gatchalian as new secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Gasataya, a chairman of the CA Committee on Labor, Employment, Social Welfare and Migrant Workers, sponsored Gatchalian’s confirmation on Tuesday, May 16.
“This representation personally attests to his competence as a public servant being a strong ally in the Nationalist People's Coalition along with his brothers,” Gasataya said.
He said Gatchalian assured that under his term, he will augment the flagship programs of the department such as future-proofing their graduating 4Ps beneficiaries through their sustainable livelihood programs and other community-driven development projects among others.
He said Gatchalian wants to bring back the dignity in getting social welfare by making sure that they streamline the requirements and they will go to digital.
He also hopes to make their social services more efficient through integrating chatbots, portals, and digital cash disbursements, Gasataya added.
Prior to his appointment confirmation, Gasataya noted that Gatchalian has been DSWD’s acting secretary for the past four months and an “award-winning” statesman in Valenzuela, thrusting his five pillars of good governance and proactivity which lauded Valenzuala City as “Most Business-Friendly Highly Urbanized City,” the “Seal of Good Education Governance,” and “The Local Government Unit E-Readiness Leadership Award."
Gatchalian, along with his brothers, and Gasataya have been colleagues after bearing the flag of the same political party championing discipline, loyalty, and nationalism geared towards the good of the country and its people.
Following Gatchalian’s ad interim appointment, Gasataya disclosed that the programs for informal settlers and the homeless shall become a mainstay granted the strong coordination with local government units.*