DoT, DAR chiefs confirmed

THE COMMISSION on Appointments is set to formally confirm the appointments of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Rualo Castriciones, and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Socorro B. Inting on Wednesday.
At Ms. Puyat’s confirmation hearing on Tuesday, the CA committee on tourism and economic development recommended her confirmation to head the Department of Tourism (DoT)
Ms. Puyat vowed to the CA panel that she would boost the tourism industry by implementing the National Tourism Development Plan 2016-2022 and conducting regular consultations with stakeholders.
“Every challenge will be our chance to contribute to the growth of tourism and of the Philippine economy. It will also define our love of country and of the Filipino people,” she said.
The CA committee on constitutional commissions and offices also gave its nod to Ms. Inting’s appointment as Comelec commissioner.
In an interview with reporters, Senator Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares said the CA committee on agrarian reform decided to approve Mr. Castriciones’s appointment as head of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) despite resistance by several stakeholders.
“Votes for his appointment prevailed since 13 voted for him, while two only objected,” she said.
Ms. Llamanzares also urged Mr. Castriciones to address the complaints raised during his confirmation hearing.
“These are the conditions that he needs to do: he should consult with farmers, he should distribute the CLOA (certificate of land ownership award), and he should make the distribution quickly and efficiently,” she said.
The CA will hold a plenary session on Wednesday to formally confirm the government officials’ confirmation. — Camille A. Aguinaldo