President Rodrigo Duterte has named a new undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the form of townmate and ex-Gabriela Partylist Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan.
The retired faculty member of the Ateneo de Davao University is the replacement of former secretary Judy Taguiwalo after the Commission of Appointments rejected the appointment of the latter last month.
Taguiwalo was the third cabinet member of the Duterte administration to be rejected by the commission.
Ilagan served as a the national chairperson of the Gabriela Partylist, an organization advocating women’s rights, from 2007 to 2016. She worked in Davao City as councilor during that time President Duterte was vice mayor under the appointment of former President Cory Aquino. In 2007, she received the Datu Bago Award for her commitment to public service and for her assistance in drafting the Women Development Code of Davao City.
Prior Ilagan’s appointment, the President said that she wanted the next DSWD secretary to “avoid corruption” and someone who “enjoys the duty of serving the countrymen.” Sen. Ralph Recto also expressed belief that the replacement should be in the mold of the 10 women who held the position since 1986 and since the agency has been traditionally run by women.
News source: Inq.net
Photo credit: www.plcpd.com
