DILG execs told to be on the lookout for Boracay-like symptoms

nterior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año has ordered the newly-promoted directors and other officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to check for violations of environmental and other laws in their respective areas to prevent a Boracay-like crisis from happening.(PNA photo)

MANILA – Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año has ordered the newly-promoted directors and other officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to check for violations of environmental and other laws in their respective areas to prevent a Boracay-like crisis from happening.

Speaking during the first-ever mass oath-taking held at the DILG Central Office on Tuesday (March 13), Año said the current problem in Boracay is just a symptom but the real sickness is the implementation of the law.

“I urge you to help us rectify and solve the problem in Boracay by making a chain of actions in your areas, so that other parts of the country will not suffer the same fate,” Año said.

The DILG chief enjoined the newly-promoted officials to understand and learn from the Boracay problem and how they can avoid similar situations in their place of assignments.

Año said LGUs should not wait for an environmental crisis to happen in other tourist spots like El Nido, Coron, Siargao, and Camiguin.

“As DILG field officials, you can prevent a similar crisis from happening. You should be vigilant,” he said.

Of the 31 newly-promoted officials, 20 hold the ranks of city and provincial directors. Five were promoted to full-pledged assistant directors.

Three hold the position of bureau directors, while three regional directors have adjusted ranks from Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) 3 to CESO 4.

Año said the officials deserve their “long-overdue” promotion, having faithfully worked as “true public servants” in the department.

He said along with the phrase “rank has its privileges” (RHIPs), there is also an accompanying phrase that goes “rank has its responsibilities” (RHIRs).

“I urge you to work much faster, more effectively, and more efficiently now that you are already holding higher positions,” Año told the newly promoted DILG executives.