Gov. Petilla officially appointed by PNoy as new DOE chief

TACLOBAN CITY – After several weeks of speculation when will his appointment be made and confirmed by President Benigno Aquino as the new Secretary of the Department of Energy in what is considered as a minor revamp in the Cabinet.

The President during his official business trip to Australia confirmed that Leyte Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla will soon to assume the position as DOE Secretary.

Gov. Petilla being not part of the energy industry his experience in the private sector were the main factor why he was chosen as the new DOE Secretary said the President in an interview by journalists covering him in his Australian trip.

This appointment was first mentioned by her mother, former Leyte governor and first district congresswoman and now Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla in a weekly press forum Express it at the Park.

But she did not mention when her son will be appointed by the President.

The governor in several interviews did not confirm his appointment as DOE Secretary even the President himself in his latest visit to the province made such announcement.

With the appointment of Gov. Petilla as new DOE Secretary, Sec. Jose Almendras is the Secretary to the Cabinet.

In a television interview with Secretary Almendras over ANC he advises Petilla “not to be too sensitive” and “pray a lot”.

Once he assume as the new DOE Secretary among the problems that will be faced is the energy problem in Mindanao and the fuel price.

As he took the DOE post, the provincial government of Leyte is to be under the new leadership by the incumbent vice-governor, following the rule of succession while her post is to be filled-up by the senior board member of the provincial legislative office, Leyte Fifth District Board Member Florante Cayunda, Jr.

Although this would be tough job for her, according to the vice governor in previous interviews, she stressed that she is ready for the post as the new governor of the province as Petilla had given her many times a chance to handle the post each time he went out of the country.

“This is not new to me and I already know how everything works in the executive branch,” Bagulaya said.

The appointment of Gov. Petilla, according to her, could help the province and would also allow the governor to share his expertise in handling organization as big as the DOE.

For Biliran Gov. Gerardo Espina, Jr., the appointment of Gov. Petilla as the new DOE Secretary is a pride for the region.

“I know him and his work ethics… I knew that he can handle that department very well,” said Espina when reach for a comment on the governor’s appointment.

He added that just like the province of Leyte where the biggest geothermal plant in Asia and second in the world is located, his province is now in the steps of having a source of energy that comes from natural gas, the governor can come-up with solutions to the emerging problem on energy shortage just like what is happening in Mindanao. (ROEL AMAZONA)

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Posted by lsde on Oct 27 2012. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.