Noval to Reg 8 as Capitol assures aid for Compostela

CEBU, Philippines -  The provincial government yesterday assured continuous support for the Municipality of Compostela and for whoever will be assigned as its caretaker once Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 Director Pedro Noval Jr. leaves Cebu.

As DILG regional director, Noval has assumed as caretaker of Compostela pending an election protest that has left the town with no leaders.

Pursuant to Department Order No. 2011-1371 dated September 21, 2011 signed by Sec. Jessie Robredo, Region 11 officer-in-charge Ananias Villacorta is the new DILG director for Central Visayas. Noval, meanwhile, will now be heading Region 8 or Eastern Visayas. Outgoing Region 8 Director Francisco Jose willbe transferred to Region 11.

“I just received the order yesterday (Monday) and I welcome the reshuffling,” Noval said.

His concern right now, Noval said, is the situation in Compostela. He already sent a letter to the DILG central office last Monday to seek “guidance” on the matter. He said he expects Robredo to respond to his letter next week after the secretary arrives from abroad.

“Naghuwat na lang ko sa official reply sa akong gipadala aron ma-clarify kay di man automatic nga ang bag-o nga regional director ang mag- OIC…maybe next week pag-abot ni secretary (Robredo),” Noval said.

“That will remain to be seen, I can’t leave Compostela without a mayor,” Noval said further.

Noval met with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday to inform the latter that he already referred the matter to the DILG central office.

Garcia said the DILG should consider the Compostela situation seriously. Garcia said she admires how Compostela, under Noval’s watch, did its best to comply with and participate in province-initiated activities, among which include the Governor Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup for which the town sent a team to complete in the men’s, women’s and elementary divisions.

“Inspite of their difficulties, this town is really trying its very best,” Garcia said.

The candidates who won in the 2010 elections failed to assume office after the Commission on Elections nullified their proclamation pending resolution of the election protest filed by former mayor Ritchie Wagas.

Wagas lost to Mayor-elect Joel Quiño. The other winners whose proclamation has been annulled include Vice Mayor-elect Maria Antoinette Dangoy, and councilors-elect Josephine Abing, Joy Ann Cabatingan, Tessa Cand, Wilfredo Calom, Homer Canen, Jose Cagang, Alfredo Cabatingan and Francisco Olivario.

The Comelec Second Division earlier ordered the Municipal Board of Canvassers to reconvene and recanvass the votes in the 2010 elections in Compostela but no guidelines yet being issued.

Noval said he still has up to four weeks to prepare for his transfer during which he will wrap all his programs up and help the incoming director ease into the new assignment.

Noval said he only received the DILG transfer order last Monday, but his office recorded that the order was sent through fax on September 22 at 3 pm.

A source told The Freeman they already know about the impending transfer of Noval, adding that they are just waiting that he will start preparing for his transfer which he has yet to do. – (FREEMAN)