Bacolod Names New Social Services Head

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga has been appointed as the new head of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) in Bacolod City.

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez signed Mangga’s appointment on December 18, citing her qualifications and capacity to lead the department.

Mangga graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) in 2011 and ranked second in the National Licensure Examination for Social Workers the same year.

In 2014, she earned a Master of Science in Social Work and was later recognized with an outstanding dissertation and academic excellence award upon completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Development Management in 2017. Mangga also completed her Doctor of Law degree in 2021.

City Administrator Lucille Gelvolea said Mangga previously served as division head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) under the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

Gelvolea added that the DSSD position had been vacant for two and a half years following the retirement of former DSSD head Pacita Tero.

Mangga’s application impressed Mayor Benitez, who saw her potential to lead the department effectively, Gelvolea said.

With Mangga’s appointment, Alma Gustilo, who previously served as the officer-in-charge of DSSD, will now return to her original post as division head of the Persons with Disability (PWD) office under the department.

Meanwhile, the city has also appointed Jose Maria Gecosala as the new city treasurer, following the retirement of former treasurer Arlene Memoria on December 11.

Gecosala previously worked with the provincial government and the municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto.