Duterte fires DSWD undersecretaries
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has sacked three undersecretaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Malacañang said Monday.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed that the president terminated the appointments of Undersecretary for Protective Programs Mae Fe Templa, Undersecretary for Promotive Programs Maria Lourdes Turalde-Jarabe and Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group Hope Hervilla.
“We expect the new secretary to bring his own team to provide better services to the public,” Medialdea said.
Former Philippine Army chief Rolando Bautista currently heads the DSWD.
The executive secretary also denied that the sacking of the three DSWD officials has anything to do with their affiliation with left-leaning organizations.
“No. [It’s for the] formation of a good team,” he said.
Jarabe was a former secretary of Gabriela while Hervilla was previously a Bayan Muna regional chairperson.
Former DSWD head Judy Taguiwalo earlier warned that the appointment of a military man to lead the agency would lead to its militarization.
“DSWD, as a civilian agency, has a very different process, mandate than a military organization. We provide assistance to victims of armed conflict, while the military is tasked in securing the territory of the Philippines, as well as waging in war,” she said. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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