Presidential appointee takes over OCD-6 helm
ILOILO CITY — An officer from the Office of the President (OP) has officially assumed the post of regional director of the Office of Civil Defense-Region 6 (OCD-6).
The 47-year-old Jose Roberto Roa Nuñez, a native of Cebu City, took his post after a turn-over and installation ceremony yesterday morning, administered by Director Josefina Timoteo, chief of the OCD Administrative and Financial Management Service, at a hotel at Mandurriao district in Iloilo City.
Nuñez’s appointment order stated that he was designated to the post effective October 23, succeeding Ma. Aletha Nogra, who was named officer-in-charge of the OCD-6 after Rosario Cabrera retired on October 18.
Before the OCD-6 post, Nuñez worked at the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, and had just attended a Procurement Management Seminar by the Commission on Audit, when informed of his appointment. "Biglaan. Dire-diretso na after I received my appointment," he told The FREEMAN.
When asked if he is related to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Nuñez said his Roa family is from Cagayan de Oro City, while that of the president is from Butuan City. But during the 2016 campaign period, he admitted to be a part of Duterte’s security group.
"My expertise is really on the security aspect," Nuñez said when asked of his previous work prior to government service. He did not elaborate further.
As the new OCD-6 head, Nuñez will also act as chairman of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).
Being new to the agency, Nuñez said he will count on the help of his subordinates and other local sectors to cope with the demands of the job. "It's really important that we have cooperation here and, of course, guidance from those who previously led the agency," he added.
On his plans as the OCD-6 chief, Nuñez said he will continue with what the previous regional directors have started. For specific plans, he added that the preparedness measures would be anchored on their mandate as stipulated under Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
He will also be strengthening the cooperation with the local government units on how to better prepare and mitigate effects of disasters. For information dissemination, Nuñez said he would be tapping the help of the mass media.