RD Wilhelm Suyko (center) witnesses the ceremonial turn-over between outgoing PD Juanito Olave, Jr., CESO V (right) and PD Ulysses Feraren (left). Director Feraren will be taking over DILG Oriental Mindoro while PD Olave will be handling DILG Occidental Mindoro.

July 03, 2020 | PD Juanito Olave, Jr., CESO V officially handed-over the symbolic DILG banner to incoming DILG Oriental Mindoro Provincial Director Ulysses Feraren, by virtue of DILG Department Order No. 2020-387.

During the “DILG Oriental Mindoro Leadership Ceremonial Turn-Over”, officiated by Wilhelm Suyko, CESO IV, Regional Director, DILG MIMAROPA, PD Olave turned-over the TEAM Oriental Mindoro to incoming Provincial Director saying, “DILG Oriental Mindoro is more than a team, it is a family. We do not compete against others, we compete against ourselves”.

Four years ago, PD Olave was designated as the Provincial Director of Oriental Mindoro. Under his leadership, the provincial office has continued to excel in its commitment in pursuing excellent local governance as well as improved organizational operations, thereby promoting a “matino, mahusay, at maaasahang kagawaran”.

He introduced notable innovations in the workplace including increased competitiveness, timely reporting, and more efficient use of all resources. DILG Oriental Mindoro adopted in its processes the Paperless Operations by embracing new technologies and systems such as the use of electronic files and provincial tracking system, and creation of a virtual workplace especially during the pandemic. 

Despite the tied-up schedules of every staff in the provincial office, a Weekly Kamustahan, a non-formal manner of bringing together the team to talk about the statuses of programs, a time for brainstorming, and also an occasion to check on one another, how they are doing and both in their professional and personal lives, has helped in strengthening relationships and team cohesion, and ensuring a harmonious environment.

With profound understanding of political leaders in the province, DILG Oriental Mindoro introduced the Love letters for LCEs, which are quarterly correspondences of the DILG Provincial Office to the local chief executives, updating them about their compliance standings, and showing appreciation and commendation in case of their exemplary performances. This is an innovative “reminder strategy” of the compliances of the LGUs, but with a touch of ‘tender loving care’.

Consistently, in his supervision, the local government units (LGUs) in the province bagged prestigious awards such as the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping, Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards (LTIA), Child Friendly Local Governance Audit Award, Digital PH Wards, Gawad Kalasag Award (regional level), GREAT Barangay Awards of DILG MIMAROPA among others.

It was also under his stewardship that DILG Oriental Mindoro produced a CAPDEV ACE Champion (2018) in the person of LGOO VI Eufracio N. Forones Jr. and national finalist (2019), LGOO VI Sylvia N. Arago for the Singsing ng Tanikala (Outstanding City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officer) Category. Lastly, DILG Oriental Mindoro consistently received, in its Local Governance Monitoring and Evaluation and Capacity Development performance, numerous (team and individual) awards during the Annual Regional Awarding Activities. 

Filled with excitement and passion with the new Team, incoming Provincial Director Ulysses  Feraren expressed his gratefulness to the regional director for the opportunity and as he received the DILG Flag and Helm of Leadership, he smiled said, “I do not see my previous assignment as my future competitor; rather, I see them as my inspiration”. 

Similarly, a ceremonial turn-over of the DILG Calapan City stewardship was held between incoming outgoing CLGOO Eufracio Forones, Jr. and LGOO VI Ivan Stephen Fadri. LGOO VI Forones will be assigned as the City Director of Puerto Princesa City.

-LGOO V Glaiza Abacan