The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday (May 16) confirmed former Valenzuela City Congressman Rex Gatchalian as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in speedy proceedings as members of the Commission of Appointments (CA) found him highly qualified for the post.
The confirmation hearing on Secretary Gatchalian’s nomination took less than an hour as members of the powerful CA cited his qualifications and track record as former Valenzuela City mayor for nine years and the city’s former 1st District representative for more than six years.
Earlier, the CA panel approved Secretary Gatchalian’s nomination after he responded to queries about his plans for the DSWD.
According to Secretary Gatchalian, he will put premium to the strengthening of the development programs of the Department.
“These development programs are the ones that will break the chain of poverty or the cycle of poverty,” the DWSD chief explained during the CA panel deliberation.
Among the flagship programs that Secretary Gatchalian plans to improve are the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), among others.
“Ending poverty is a long game, but there are low lying fruits like ending hunger that we want to look at because these are investments to human capital that we can do immediately. We also want to bring back dignity in getting social welfare by making sure that we streamline the requirements, and that we go digital,” the DSWD secretary explained.
