Davide picks Capitol’s rehab czar to head PDRRMC

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is appointing a new chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to replace its current head, Niel Sanchez, to strengthen Capitol’s disaster preparedness.

Davide said that Task Force Paglig-on head Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. will be the province’s new disaster preparedness officer effective May. According to Davide, he decided to put Tribunalo in the position because his expertise is in disaster preparedness.

The governor said he also wants to merge the Task Force Paglig-on with the PDRRMC. Davide said that Sanchez will stay with PDRRMC as Tribunalo’s deputy chief.

“Hopefully by May. I intend to replace him inig ka lapse sa one year ban ni Tribunalo. It is the prerogative of the governor. Nakita nako nga si Tribunalo, ang iyang forte is disaster preparedness,” he told reporters.

Davide said he cannot immediately appoint Tribunalo until May because of the one year ban for losing candidates. Tribunalo ran for councilor in Balamban during the May 2013 elections but lost. He used to work with Malacañang as program adviser on climate change.

Davide dispel speculations that Sanchez did not live up to his standards. According to Davide, Sanchez was doing well as PDRRMC chief.

“Sanchez has been doing okay. He was very involved katong sa Yolanda, Earthquake, and ship collision. Ang iya is response man ang expertise. But atong concentration karon is preparedness gyud,” Davide explained.

Tribunalo on the other hand is looking forward to working ‘productively’ with Sanchez.

“My niche is really operation. We have to work together in any factors that we can contribute for the development of the province. We have to link and maximize whoever and whatever is available, be it a person, program or experience,” he said.

 Sanchez said he is also open to working with Tribunalo.

“Wa gyud nay problema nako ang pag-assign ni Baltz (Tribunalo). Ako pod giingnan si gov nga gusto gyod ko magpabilin sa PDRRMC. I also proposed nga adto pud either sa office sa peace and order or health emergency response, mao man gyud na ako,” he told The FREEMAN.—(FREEMAN)