PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Noel Felongco as the new chairperson of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).
Duterte on February 1 signed Felongco's appointment paper, which was released by MalacaƱang on Thursday, February 22.
Duterte also appointed Romeo Jandugan as PCUP commissioner on February 1. He joins two other commissioners, Randy Halasan and Norman Baloro, who were both appointed on January 16.
Felongco replaced Terry Ridon, who was sacked by Duterte in December 2017 because of his purported "unnecessary junkets" abroad.
Prior to his new stint at PCUP, Felongo served as undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Felongco was among Duterte's campaign leaders during the May 9, 2016 presidential elections.
Felongco was born in Davao City but spent most of his life in Cotabato City, where he finished his law studies at the Notre Dame University.
Ridon and PCUP commissioners Melissa Aradanas, Joan Lagunda, Manuel Serra Jr. and Noe Indonto were removed because of their alleged extravagant travels. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)