MANILA, Philippines — A career official of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) has been named officer-in-charge (OIC) of the agency, to replace resigned board chair Cesar Montano.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced yesterday that Arnold Gonzales was appointed OIC of the TPB.
“Gonzales was unanimously chosen as OIC by the Board of Directors of TPB today,” the TPB said.
Gonzales, 56, concurrent OIC of the Domestic Promotions Department of the TPB, has been with the DOT for 30 years and had been assigned at various posts here and abroad.
Gonzales was not among the three officials suggested by Montano.
Among these officials are Maricon Ebron, OIC of the office of the deputy chief operating officer (COO) for marketing and promotions; Joselito Gregorio, OIC for office of the deputy COO for corporate affairs; and Leah Marie Sy, head of the management information system department.
Montano resigned earlier this week amid controversies surrounding the P320 million Buhay Carinderia project.
Montano was appointed TPB COO in December 2016.
In March 2017, employees of the TPB filed complaints against Montano, listing 24 alleged irregularities.
Montano was on holdover capacity following the expiration of his term when he resigned.
Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat earlier said Montano does not need to resign because his tenure would end in June when, under RA 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009, the Tourism Congress will nominate a new chief.
“Whether he resigns or not, he knows he is on holdover (capacity) and that the TPB would elect a new COO. The TPB would nominate a COO to (the) secretary and I would nominate the COO to the President,” she added.
Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) president Jojo Clemente said the group already has some possible nominees for the TPB post, “but we are still vetting.”
Clemente added that the nominees would have to match the qualifications stated in the Tourism Act of 2009. He added, however, that a background in marketing would also be essential for the next TPB head.
Under Section 48 of the Tourism Act, the TPB COO must be a Filipino, with a bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields: business, law, tourism, public administration or other relevant fields and has demonstrated expertise therein.
He or she must have been engaged in a managerial capacity for at least five years prior to appointment.
The TPB COO will be elected by the Board from a list of qualified applicants and appointed by the tourism secretary, and shall have a term of office of six years, unless removed for cause in accordance with law.
President Duterte also appointed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) deputy director for administration Jesus Fajardo to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) as deputy commissioner in a bid to help the leadership of Customs chief Isidro Lapeña.
Fajardo replaced former general Natalio Ecarma III, who was part of the BOC revenue collection and monitoring group.
Malacañang also released yesterday the appointment papers of Jose Campo as assistant general manager for planning of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; Irene Christine Pelino and Mario Flores Jr. as members of the Professional Regulatory Board of Optometry; Mahmod Mala Adilao, member of the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board; Erni Baggao, as member of the Philippine Domestic Construction Board of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Maria Rowena Flores-Sabban was designated as Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer III of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.
Duterte also appointed Alfonso Vicente Jr. as prosecutor III, Office of the City Prosecutor- Cagayan de Oro City, vice Sandar Nieves Fernandez; and Howard Randy Arzadon as assistant government corporate counsel under the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.
Duterte also expressed his desire that George Sacar and Ernani Clutario Lim be elected as member of the Board of Directors of Chemfields Inc.
Meanwhile, Clariza Mae Columna was appointed as foreign trade service officer IV of the Philippine Foreign Trade Service Corps under the DTI. – With Robertzon Ramirez, Christina Mendez