Mayor Sarmiento nominated to chair RDC 8

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 25, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Members of the Regional Development Council in Eastern Visayas (RDC8), in a re-organizational meeting held on August 24 at the NEDA Conference Room, nominated Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento to be the next RDC Chairperson and Private Sector Representatives Agustin Docena of Eastern Samar and Dr. Leo Blanco of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the RDC Co-Chair.

Their names will be submitted to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to give her the prerogative to choose who to appoint.

RDC Vice-Chair NEDA Director Buenaventura Go-soco Jr. who acted as the presiding officer, said that what was requested was to submit four names to the President, two names of Local Chief Executives and two names of Private Sector Representatives. However, the members did not nominate any other local chief executive.

Mayor Sarmiento when ask for a statement informed the body that he does not want to make any promises except that if the President will appoint him, he will continue what was started by former RDC Chairs Remedios L. Petilla and outgoing RDC Chair Rosette Lerias.

Mayor Sarmiento has been an active member of RDC for many years. During the last term, he also signified his intention to serve as RDC Chair but at the last minute, he gave way to Governor Rosette Lerias.

Mayor Sarmiento is currently a second termer as the secretary general of the League of Cities of the Philippines. He is known for initiating innovative practices in local governance.

No provincial governor was observed to be present during the RDC meeting, but they were ably represented.