Iloilo board member assumes DSWD-6 top post

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A lawyer-politician has been appointed to the helm of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 6 (DSWD-6).

Atty. Carmelo Nochete, a board member representing the first district of Iloilo, was sworn in before DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Sept 9, 2022.

Nochete, former vice mayor of Miag-ao, Iloilo, will take over the post temporarily held by Delia Bagolcol.

Bagolcol, who used to be the DSWD-6 assistant regional director for operations, was designated DSWD-6 officer-in-charge following the promotion of Ma. Evelyn Macapobre as DSWD assistant secretary.

All three previous regional directors – Macapobre, Bagolcol and the late Rebecca Geamala – are career service employees being social workers.

In a statement, Atty. May Rago-Castillo, DSWD-6 regional information officer, said they will fully support Nochete’s leadership, just like how they supported the previous regional directors.

“We surely welcome him. We are glad that we have an Ilonggo as our regional director,” she said.

Castillo said the paramount concern will always be the welfare and protection of the Ilonggos.

“We have faith that it will be also the centerpiece of Director Nochete’s leadership in alignment with the DSWD vision to ensure that all Filipinos will be free from poverty and will have equal access to opportunities,” she said.