Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sworn into office 43 new government officials, including the new chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Among the new appointees to take oath on September 12 is MinDA’s new chairperson, Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, who is also the chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Alonto replaces Luwalhati Antonino.
MinDA was created through Republic Act No. 9996, or the Mindanao Development Authority Act of 2010, to accelerate the socioeconomic growth of the region by increasing trade, tourism and investments, encouraging private enterprise, and advancing peace and development efforts.
MinDA also represents the country in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East Asean Growth Area.
MMDA’s new general manager Thomas Orbos also took his oath, replacing Emerson Carlos who resigned last August. Orbos served as MMDA assistant general manager for planning in 2014.
Appointed as MMDA assistant general manager is Julia Catherine Nebrija, former World Bank urban specialist consultant and Inclusive Mobility Network president.
Other new appointees include Department of Transportation assistant secretaries Cherie Lei Santos and Lino Dabi, as well as the officers of the Office of the President, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Budget and Management, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Justice, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and Department of Agriculture.
