MANILA, Philippines — Former Defense Officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. has been appointed as chief of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, (OPAPRU), Malacañang said on Monday.
Galvez also served as OPAPRU chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte. A retired Philippine Army general, Galvez was also previously vaccine czar and chief of the National Task Force Against Covid-19.
In separate statements, lawmakers welcomed Galvez’s appointment, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Members of Parliament (MP).
“All of us who have worked with him over the years stand witness to his contributions to the strides that the region has made towards meaningful and sustainable peace, and we look forward to lengthening these strides further as he resumes an active role in the decision-making process,” said BARMM MP Amir Mawallil.
Meanwhile, MP Ras Mitug said that Galvez’s reappointment brings confidence as he already has ideas and experience as Defense officer-in-charge.
Albay Rep. Joey Salcedo also thanked Galvez for his assistance in vaccinations in the congressman’s district.
“Secretary Galvez should also receive great credit for keeping the peace between the government and groups such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who, despite tenuous events in recent history, have remained committed to the task of peaceful governance with the national government. The United Nations recognized the Secretary for successes in this difficult but essential task,” said Salceda in a statement.
READ: UN honors Secretary Galvez for role in Bangsamoro peace process
Joining Galvez is Isidro L. Purisima, who will be the senior undersecretary in the OPAPRU.
Prior to Galvez’s appointment, Purisima had been the previous officer-in-charge of the OPAPRU.
The OPAPRU is in charge of implementing the government’s comprehensive peace process, as mandated by Executive Order 153 or “Strengthening the policy framework on peace, reconciliation, and unity, and reorganizing the government’s administrative structure for the purpose.”
Other appointees announced by the Palace include:
Department of Agriculture
- Dan Baliao, Chief of the Aquaculture Department
Department of Education
- Nolasco Mempin
- Noel Baluyan
- Department of Finance
- Vener Baquiran
Presidential Communications Office
- Aileen Manalo, Acting Chairperson and Member, Board of Trustees
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- Arlene Romasanta, Director IV
- Cleo Sabado-Andrada, Director III
- Felix Taguba, Director III
Department of Labor and Employment
- Federico Marquez Jr., Member, Representing the Employers’ Sector
- Michael C. Mendoza, Member, Representing the Labor Sector
National Wages and Productivity Commission
- Pia De Jesus, Deputy Executive Director IV
- Warren Manilay, Member, Representing the Employers’ Sector, Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, Region XIII
Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Domestic Construction Board
- Liberito Espiritu, Chairman
- Francis Ceñedo, Member
- Ronaldo Elapaño Jr., Member
- Noel Flores, Member
- Dino Suelto, Member
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