By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has named a teacher and a social worker as new commissioners of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), replacing officials recently fired for alleged anomalies.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The President signed the appointment papers of Randy Hamili Halasan and Norman Brillantes Baloro last January 16.
Halasan, a 2014 Ramon Magsaysay awardee recognized for teaching the indigenous Matigsalug tribe living in a remote hinterland in Davao City, will take the place of Manuel Serra Jr. at the PCUP.
Baloro, an official at the Davao City Social Services and Development Office, replaces commissioner Joan Lagunda.
Serra and Lagunda were among the top officials of the commission fired by the President for their failure to meet as a collegial body and for unnecessary junkets.
Also appointed were Philippines Ports Authority assistant general manager Hector Miole, Intellectual Property Office deputy director general Teodoro Pascua, two undersecretaries of the Office of the President namely Ireno Bacolod and Josefino Cataluña, and Bernie Cruz as undersecretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform.
Also appointed was Rachel Anne Herrera as commissioner of the Climate Change Commission with a term until January 8, 2022.
Octavio Peralta and Jocelyn Yambao-Franco were designated new members of the Philippine International Convention Center Inc. board.