Disaster agency head says he resigned due to job stress

Outgoing National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Eduardo del Rosario with his successor former Vice Admiral Alexander Pama at a press briefing on Monday.

MANILA, Philippines–Contrary to previous reports, outgoing disaster mitigating council head Eduardo del Rosario clarified on Monday that he resigned not because of “health reasons” but because his job stressed him out.

“I don’t have health problems. (It was) just stress that I feel. (My resignation) is part of my de-stressing way,” del Rosario said during the presentation of his successor former Vice Admiral Alexander Pama to the media.

When del Rosario tendered his resignation on April 24 as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Director, officials said he cited health reasons.

“I felt it’s time for me to go. We’ve made so many progress in the Office of the Civil Defense and I feel that I have to enjoy my retirement,” he said.

The retired Army major general held the post for a year and three months and has dealt with deadly disasters including super typhoon Yolanda and 7.2 earthquake in the Visayas, and the Zamboanga hostage crisis.

“I have to go out for the meantime and enjoy my retirement, which I did not enjoy when I retired from military service in 2012,” he added.

Two months after his retirement, del Rosario was tapped to head the OCD.

He said he plans to work in the private sector after his 38 years of service in the government.

“With this resignation of mine, we’re very grateful because I have broadened my prospective. I know that the OCD is in good hands with the leadership of Admiral Alexander Pama,” del Rosario added.