The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday, Oct. 7, appointed Engr. Riza Marie T. Paches as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) after the resignation of outgoing Chairperson Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
Garafil earlier announced her resignation from the LTFRB as she will be serving as OIC of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
“She shall perform and discharge all the functions and responsibilities pertaining to position, and be entitled to all the benefits and allowances authorized therefor, except the basic salary, subject to applicable budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations,” the DOTr Special Order No. 2022-266 signed by Secretary Jaime J. Bautista stated.
According to the LTRFB, Paches is a licensed engineer and environmental planner who served as board member of the LTFRB in July 2022.
Prior to this, she also served as acting head of City Public Safety Office of General Santos City.
Paches also headed the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office of General Santos City, the agency said.
In 2017, she was appointed by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte as director for Infrastructure Cluster under his Cabinet.
Paches is a graduate of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, and in August 2021 she earned her master’s degree in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP).