Acting DILG chief Ochoa asks for inventory of agency programs

Temporary Department of Interior and Local Government chief Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. visited the agency on Wednesday to ensure operations are continuing following the death of Secretary Jesse Robredo in a plane crash during the weekend. He asked for an inventory and review of current and pending programs left by Robredo, acknowledging that the late secretary left a lot. “Pinaiimbentaryo ko ‘yun ngayon at nang sa gayon masiguro natin na maipagpatuloy yung mga programa niyang nasimulan at kasalukuyang ginagawa,” Ochoa said. “Marami yun, but I still can’t say yet kaya pinaiimbentaryo pa nga as of now. Nagbigay lang ako ng instructions na ilista lahat ito so that appropriately from there I’ll pick it up and then doon tayo aandar nang matiwasay,” he also said. Ochoa mentioned programs involving the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and programs regarding informal settlers as among those awaiting inventory. The Executive Secretary said he also tasked his office in the Palace to make an inventory of programs related to the DILG, and said his position gives him familiarity with the agency’s programs. President Benigno Aquino III appointed Ochoa as the Officer-in-Charge of the DILG on Tuesday. Ochoa said that as of now there is still no directive from Aquino on the duration of his stint as DILG OIC, saying the government “still has not absorbed the events.” “Ang una lang munang decision is to make sure that nonetheless government still functions,” Ochoa said. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Robredo initiated a number of reforms that “cannot be turned back,” and that for the meantime, Ochoa will continue these. “So, for instance, marami siyang ginawang mga reforms towards ang requirement for the LGUs to publish their budget online, mga seal of good housekeeping. Maraming pong repormang ginawa po si Secretary Robredo and si Executive Secretary Ochoa was designated by the President to take over in an acting capacity,” Lacierda said in a Palace press briefing. He also said the search process for Robredo’s replacement will be done soon, but will not be prioritized in the meantime. “At the soonest possible time, if and when the President will go through a search for that, we will let you know,” Lacierda said. Lacierda also said Robredo’s replacement will have big shoes to fill, because of the secretary’s accomplishments. “Well, Secretary Robredo is one of a kind. He is a Magsaysay awardee. He has proven his competence in local governance and he has shown himself as capable also of speaking and engaging politicians in the entire political spectrum,” Lacierda said. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo died when the Piper Seneca plane he was in with three others crashed off Masbate on Saturday. The plane was heading for Naga from Cebu when it crashed off Masbate. Robredo's remains were recovered Tuesday morning, while retrieval operations are still ongoing for the bodies of pilot Captain Jessup Bahinting and co-pilot Kshitiz Chand. Only Robredo's aide, Senior Inspector Jun Abrasado, survived the crash. Robredo’s body will be brought to the Palace on Friday, where it will lie in state until Sunday, and then will be brought back to Naga City. — BM, GMA News