By: Villamor C. Visaya Jr.
(Published in its print edition on May 17 – 23, 2025)
AS the Cabinet secretaries of the Marcos Jr. administration are waiting for their fate, two of them have been axed for “underperformance” and “under-delivery.”
Notable among those who were sent the pink slip to start packing include Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga. They were among the Cabinet officials who tendered their courtesy resignations.
Acuzar has been tasked to meet the targeted goals of the Marcos administration to alleviate the problem of lack of housing, among others.
He was replaced for “under-delivery.” Meaning, he was not able to deliver the goods.
Also getting the boot was Loyzaga for underperformance. Loyzaga’s frequent travels abroad speak of her failure to do what has been tasked.
It could be recalled that in a Housing Research policy study, about 4.5 million Filipinos who include 250,000 children were experiencing homelessness, with a significant concentration in Metro Manila, in 2018.
At least 59,826 households are living in rent-free houses and lots without the owner’s consent, indicating another aspect of housing insecurity, the 2020 Census of Population and Housing showed.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, with increased joblessness and a projected rise in poverty and homelessness, at that time. About two-thirds of them are in metropolitan Manila wherein people are concentrated but most of them are living in extreme poverty. Lockdowns then hiked joblessness and halted access to food, healthcare, and other services in the country.
Furthermore, the Asmae Soeur Emmanuelle (ASMAE) initiated a 2018 baseline study in the Philippines and highlighted that a majority of CISS engage in income-generating activities like begging, peddling, and jeepney barking.
Putting a change will be an effective and efficient move with Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla as the new DENR Secretary. DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin will take his post as an officer-in-charge. Sure, the rigodon and change of secretaries ensure a pursuit to attain good performance.#
