Ochoa vows to continue Robredo’s reforms in DILG

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will continue the reforms, programs, and projects of the late Secretary Jesse Robredo.

DILG acting chief, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, said in a statement Wednesday he will ensure that Robredo’s “reforms are implemented and the operation is continuous.”

“While we join Secretary Robredo’s family and the nation in this time of bereavement, [President Benigno Aquino III] felt also that it is appropriate to designate an OIC for the meantime, on a very temporary nature to ensure that the DILG is running and its service to the public is continuous,” Ochoa said.

Robredo and his two pilots perished in a plane crash off the coast of Masbate Saturday after it was said to have encountered engine trouble. The pilot had initially requested to make an emergency landing in Masbate airport but crashed some 500 meters from the runway.

Robredo’s body was recovered Tuesday while the two pilots were still the subject of retrieval operations. Jun Abrasado, Robredo’s aide-de-camp, was the sole survivor of the crash.

Ochoa has already asked for a list of the pending projects in the several agencies under the DILG, particularly the reforms Robredo has put in place in the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, as well as his plans to relocate informal settlers.

Ochoa said DILG employees should expect him to be visible in the agency in the coming days until Aquino appoints a new DILG secretary.