Retired Gen. Eduardo Año INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO
Retired Armed Forces chief Eduardo Año, who is the newly-appointed officer-in-charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), vowed to transform the department into an “honest” and “diligent” government agency under his watch.
“It is my strong desire to implement changes in order to realize the President’s programs in improving the life of every Filipino,” Año said in a statement on Saturday, a day after his appointment paper was made public.
“I enjoin all members of Team DILG to perform their tasks honestly and diligently towards improving the quality of the services to attain DILG’s programs for the good of our country and our countrymen,” the incoming DILG OIC said.
Año replaced Catalino Cuy at the DILG after President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Cuy as the new chairperson of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
READ: Duterte appoints Año as DILG officer-in-charge
Duterte signed Año’s appointment paper on January 4. The President said earlier he wanted Año to be the next DILG chief.
“I express my gratitude to the President for the trust and confidence bestowed upon me, having been appointed as officer-in-charge of the DILG,” Año said.
“I also ask the public for your support and understanding while Team DILG is embarking on addressing the current challenges and while working on improvements,” he said.
However, the law prohibits Año’s immediate appointment as secretary of the DILG.
Under Republic Act 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, “no retired or resigned military officer or police official may be appointed as Secretary within one year from the date of his retirement or resignation.” /jpv