Mar, DILG remember Robredo

Natashya Gutierrez

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Incoming Interior Secretary Manuel 'Mar' Roxas joins the Department of the Interior and Local Government in commemorating the 40th day since the death of the late Jesse Robredo

EASY CONFIRMATION. Mar Roxas was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on September 19. (FILE PHOTOS)

MANILA, Philippines – It was the first time incoming Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas visited the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) building since being named as replacement for the late Secretary Jesse Robredo.

But he wasn’t there to assume office. 

The day Roxas visited the DILG marked the 40th day since Robredo’s death. On Thursday, September 27, Roxas joined DILG staff in remembering their former boss who died in a plane crash off Masbate on August 18.

Roxas attended a mass in the building for Robredo and used the opportunity to speak to his soon-to-be staff for the first time.

Napakalaki ng larawan niya and he is being extolled all across the country. But he is also very human to us. Tao rin siya sa atin. Hindi siya pang monumento lamang,” he said.

He urged the staff to use Robredo as a role model when doing their work and to “keep him in [their] hearts.”

Kung isasaloob at isasagawa natin ang nakita natin sa kanya, magiging katulad natin siya. Magiging kabahagi ng kanyang kabayanihan, which is makatulong sa ating bansa,” he said.

(If we internalize and imitate what we saw in him, we will be like him. We will be part of his national influence, which is to help the country).

Roxas proposed a challenge to the staff “to experience the joy of helping somebody out,” which he said would make their job in the DILG worth it.

Ang konswelo na lang natin, with all the difficulties, hardships and heartaches, we are able to take home to ourselves, our families, that today naka-boundary tayo. Nakatulong tayo, naka-contribute tayo. And in all humility, kusang gusto magsilbi, naipagtupad natin mga natutunan natin sa Diyos at nagsilbi tayo sa kapwa.”

(Our consolation, with all the difficulties, hardships and heartaches, is that we are able to take home to ourselves, our families, that today we were able to break even. We helped someone, we contributed. And in all humility, we want to serve, to put into action what we learned in God and served others).

From heading the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Roxas is expected to assume his new post next week. He was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on September 19 without complications, along with incoming Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya who is set to replace him in the DOTC. – Rappler.com

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Natashya Gutierrez

Natashya is President of Rappler. Among the pioneers of Rappler, she is an award-winning multimedia journalist and was also former editor-in-chief of Vice News Asia-Pacific. Gutierrez was named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders for 2023.