CEBU CITY—Urban poor leader Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez has been appointed undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) who will focus on the basic sector and serve as liaison to the urban poor and labor sectors.
Fernandez said President Benigno Aquino signed his appointment papers on Friday although he has yet to receive a copy.
“I will be seeing the DILG secretary on Monday to work out our arrangements,” he said.
Fernandez is executive director of the Cebu-based Pagtambayayong Foundation Inc., which assists grassroots communities through low-cost housing and livelihood.
He served as the head of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor during the term of President Corazon Aquino, the incumbent President’s late mother.
He also helped in the campaign of Mr. Aquino, the President’s running mate, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas, and other Liberal Party candidates in the 2010 national elections.
Fernandez said Roxas invited him to join his team and created a new position to accommodate him. Roxas was appointed to the DILG following the death of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo in a plane crash in August.
Fernandez said he first spoke to Roxas on Oct. 8 when the DILG secretary offered him the post, “but I told him that I will have to think about it,” adding that he had to consult his wife and children.
“I do not like to live in Manila but I am inspired by the legacy left behind by DILG Secretary Jess Robredo. I want to help continue that legacy that is why I agreed to accept the offer,” he said.
Fernandez said he told Roxas that he accepted the offer when they met on Oct. 16 at the office of Cebu City Rep. Tomas Osmeña, a longtime ally of Fernandez.
He said he was scheduled to meet Roxas today to discuss details of his appointment. Roxas had earlier said he wanted Fernandez to focus on the basic sector because of his experience as a community organizer.
Fernandez said he would be working as Roxas’ liaison officer to the urban poor and labor sector, among others.