Loren as next DSWD chief?

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Loren Legarda is among those eyed to head the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after the Commission on Appointments rejected the appointment of former secretary Judy Taguiwalo.

“The senator being the next secretary has resounded at the DSWD. We are just waiting for a formal announcement,” a source at the department said.   

Her name is among those considered to become the next DSWD secretary but Legarda hinted that she is focused on her work at the Senate as chair of the committee on finance, which is now working double time to approve the P3.76-trillion national budget.?“It was not directly offered to me. I will finish my term and serve the people as your chairman of the Senate committee on finance, foreign relations, climate change,” Legarda told The STAR.

She added that her foreign affairs committee is also going to be busy working on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the European Union.

As an environmentalist, the lawmaker also has to attend the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany from Nov. 6 to 17.

“Climate change and resilience are my focus too as I lead the Philippine delegation to the climate talks in Bonn,” Legarda said.

Asked if she is interested in getting the Cabinet post when her terms end in 2019, the senator said she would rather focus on her work and in serving her constituents.

President Duterte designated undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco as DSWD officer-in-charge last Aug. 19, two days after the CA rejected Taguiwalo. 

Sources said Leyco has been given authority to sign disbursements and perform other functions allowed only for full-time Cabinet secretaries to allow him to work effectively in the DSWD portfolio. 

The memorandum said Leyco is allowed to do so until the President appoints a full-time or permanent secretary, sources said.