Extension of DOT regional director's term pushed

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale has requested President Gloria Arroyo to extend the term of Department of Tourism regional director Patria Aurora Roa for six months.

Magpale has expressed satisfaction over the performance of Roa who is set to retire in October after she will reach the compulsory retirement age of 60 for government employees. 

But the lady provincial board member said the president can order to extend the term of Roa for six months while waiting for an equally capable director to take over the post that Roa will vacate. 

Magpale cited that Executive Order 136 “authorizes the President to extend for another six months the services of her appointee beyond the compulsory retirement age.”

Magpale, who heads the committee on tourism and international affairs, said in her resolution that Roa has successfully implemented the computerization of official transactions in the entire DOT-7 office, which resulted in the modernization, efficiency, and competence of its services.

Under Roa’s stint, the DOT-7 has consistently outshined other regions in the country in terms of tourism initiative and creativity, resulting in the growth of tourist arrivals not only in Region 7 but also in the neighboring Visayan regions as well. —Johanna Natavio/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)