Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 16) — The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday confirmed the designation of Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
His confirmation hearing came over three months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named him as the new chief of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), replacing Erwin Tulfo, whose appointment was bypassed twice by the CA over libel and citizenship issues.
During a CA panel deliberation, Gatchalian said he will prioritize strengthening development programs that will help break the cycle of poverty.
These include the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, the Sustainable Livelihood Program, and the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, the DSWD said in a press release.
Gatchalian added that he wants to “bring back dignity in getting social welfare” by streamlining requirements and going digital.
At the time he was tapped to lead the DSWD, Gatchalian was congressional representative of Valenzuela City, where he also previously served as mayor.
