Heading into the last two years of his electoral mandate, President Ferdinand R, Marcos, Jr. tapped former Senator Francis Tolentino as Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) last May 25.

One of the DOLE’s vital initiatives during Secretary Tolentino’s watch was the order of the National Capital Region’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board to implement a phased P85 wage hike. Regionalized wage-setting recognizes that economic conditions differ around the country and allows compensation adjustments that reflect local realities while protecting both workers and enterprise sustainability. This move prompted the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) to call for a pause in its implementation, wary that small- to medium-scale enterprises may not be able to afford the increase.

Dealing with dissent is part of a Cabinet Secretary’s responsibility as an alter ego of the President. While tasked with managing a vital sector of the entire raft of governing the country, Secretary Tolentino took on a proactive stance. He is a seasoned technocrat, having served as Senator after a stint as Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman under then President Benigno S. Aquino III and multi-term Mayor of Tagaytay City. Hence, he has a fine grasp of the intricacies of both national and local governance. He is able to balance local and sectoral imperatives with national priorities.

Proof positive of his proactive stance is when he summoned erstwhile Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) coach Tab Baldwin and school officials immediately after the fatal drowning of two basketball players in Aurora province. He is mindful that the public expects the government to act forthwith, with deliberate haste, and take action without fear or favor.

As I was finalizing this write-up, I came across a Facebook post that Secretary Francis made on Tuesday, July 21. He visited the wake of slain motorcycle rider Fabio Catabay Norberte, Jr. whop was reportedly stabbed by his passenger in Caloocan on July 14. He handed over to Norberte’s family P15,000 in financial assistance under the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) of the Employees’ Compensation Commission.

When we worked together in the Aquino administration, I admired his being a workaholic whose no-nonsense governance style dovetailed with President Aquino’s preference that members of his Cabinet take the initiative and grab the proverbial bull by the horn in terms of dealing with day-to-day challenges. I recall conversing with him late into the evening as he updated me on traffic bottlenecks in the metropolis that were triggered by flash storms and unusual events. Also remarkable was his initiative in deploying equipment and resources of the MMDA in Leyte in the aftermath of the killer Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

During my many years as a human resource management practitioner, private companies relied substantially on the DOLE’s ability to navigate the often choppy waters of enterprise viability that are constantly buffeted by dynamic developments in jurisdictions beyond our shores.

Among the former secretaries that I have had the opportunity to observe closely were Blas Ople who served under President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. from the inception of martial law until the EDSA People Power Revolution; Franklin Drilon, who was a prominent labor lawyer for private corporations; technocrat Patricia Santo Tomas, whose five-year stint was followed by her appointment as Chair of the Civil Service Commission; and Rosalinda Baldoz, a career DOLE official who served as Secretary for the entire duration of the Aquino III administration.

Secretary Ople went on to serve as an elected Senator and then As Foreign Affairs Secretary until his death. Secretary Drilon’s assumption was welcomed by the private sector as he demonstrated equanimity and fairness. Secretary Santo Tomas was also an exemplary technocrat in the public sector. Secretary Baldoz’s watch was characterized by the prevalence of industrial peace that facilitated the attainment of the highest-ever six-year economic growth during the postwar era.

Indeed, Secretary Tolentino brings to his portfolio significant stores of insight, perseverance and savvy that are vital during the end-run phase of the current administration. He could be a key resource in the Cabinet for local governance, overseas employment, travel and tourism, and national economic development. Not one to push his weight around, he is an affable team player who would like the President’s Cabinet to succeed in charting the attainment of the nation’s long-term goals.

We wish Secretary Tolentino every success in his current portfolio. May his tribe increase!

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