PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Deputy Administrator and Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV as officer-in-charge of the body, replacing Ariel Nepomuceno, who was appointed Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs.
“Mayroon pong naitalaga na OIC, ito po ay si Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro IV. Siya po ang OIC ngayon sa Office of the Civil Defense (an OIC has already been designated, he is Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro IV. He is the current Officer-in-Charge of the Office of Civil Defense),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro at a briefing in Malacañang.
Alejandro has held various positions in the OCD as well as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), including deputy administrator for administration, deputy executive director, director for policy, and regional director for Bicol.
As this developed, newly appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick “Pato” C. Gregorio took his oath of office at Malacañang yesterday.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin administered the oath of office to Gregorio, who was accompanied by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Chairman Hilario Paredes and his family.
Alejandro vowed to continue the programs of Nepomuceno, saying: “We’re going to continue (the program). The advice of Undersecretary Nepomuceno is to continue doing our job while waiting for his replacement.”
Alejandro, the OCD’s deputy administrator for administration, confirmed his designation as OIC yesterday afternoon during the launching of the “Panatag Pilipinas 2.0” risk communication campaign in Makati City.
“Before leaving, he (Nepomuceno), there were a lot of programs that we were implementing. We are following a strategic plan,” said Alejandro.
Alejandro said the OCD is waiting for the permanent replacement of Nepomuceno, who assumed command as OCD administrator in December 2022.
“We’re waiting for his replacement. Maybe anytime soon, his replacement will be named. We’ll just continue working,” said Alejandro. “We’ll just continue (working), there will be no major changes (at the OCD).”
The OCD is the implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which is chaired by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. – With Victor Reyes
