PNoy appoints undersecretaries to DOTC, DSWD

(Updated 8:30 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III has appointed undersecretaries to the Departments of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Friday. “May bago po tayong undersecretary sa DSWD, siya po ay si [Dr.] Angelita Gregorio-Medel. Pinirmahan po ng Pangulong Aquino ang kanyang appointment noong December 21,” Valte said at a press briefing. According to the Ateneo School of Government, Gregorio-Medel "has direct experience in community based work/community organizing development management, capability building and consulting work and academic teaching." "She specializes in enhancing empowerment-oriented thinking, processes, practices and approaches in the form of institutional, organizational, program and human resource or team development interventions," it said. Gregorio-Medel finished her Master of Science in Psychology, Social Psychology (Community and Poverty) at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1986 and her Doctor of Sociology, Development Sociology at the University of Bielefeld, Federal Republic of Germany in 1992. “At pangalawa naman po sa DOTC—si Catherine Jennifer Francis P. Gonzales bilang undersecretary,” Valte said. Gonzales was an assistant secretary for procurement, supply & property management service of the DOTC prior to her appointment as undersecretary. Valte said Aquino signed both Medel and Gonzales’ appointment papers last December 21, the same day he signed into law the controversial Reproductive Health bill. Both terms of office are co-terminus with the appointing authority. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News