MANILA -- Newly-appointed Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista officially assumed the post on Monday during the leadership turnover ceremony in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.
Bautista received the DSWD flag from Acting Secretary Virginia Orogo symbolizing the responsibilities that the new secretary will have to fulfill.
Bautista cited the importance of unity and teamwork in providing efficient service to the people.
“Mahirap man ang mga pagsubok na darating, pero kung magtutulungan tayo at sama-sama nating tatahakin ang tamang landas, nakatitiyak ako na anumang suliranin na darating dito sa ating kagawaran ay mapagtatagumpayan natin tungo sa ikabubuti ng sambayanan (There will be difficulties, but if we help one another and be united in our journey in facing the obstacles that will come our way in the Department, I am certain that DSWD will succeed in improving the welfare of our countrymen),” he said in his speech.
Following the announcement of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Bautista was officially appointed as the new head of the DSWD effective Oct. 17, 2018.
Bautista was a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” Class of 1985 and former commander of the Presidential Security Group.
He was also the ground commander at the height of the Marawi conflict.
The DSWD officials and employees expressed the hope that with the new secretary, the tradition of prompt, caring, and compassionate service provided by the DSWD to the marginalized and vulnerable sectors will continue and even rise to a new level.
"Isang malaking hamon sa aking katauhan ang maitalagang kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Pagpapaunlad (It is a big challenge for me to be appointed as secretary of the DSWD),” Bautista said.
“I am here to learn from each and every one of you. Let us continue to direct our energies towards achieving the goals set by my predecessors at the same time advocate relevant changes in keeping with the demands of the times in order to better serve the socially excluded groups,” he added.
In recognition of the DSWD employees’ dedication to public service, Bautista said "pagkatapos ng turn-over ceremony, nais ko kayong kamayan isa-isa kung bibigyan niyo po ako ng pagkakataon. Isang karangalan ang makamayan at makilala kayo (After this turn-over ceremony, I would like to shake your hands, if you will give me the opportunity. It is a great honor to get to know each one of you).” (PNA)
