TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN - Outgoing Regional Director Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr., officially hands over the reins of the DILG Regional Office 2 to incoming director, Agnes A. De Leon, in a simple ceremony held on Friday, June 23, 2023 at the Go Hotels Plus, Tuguegarao City.
The change of leadership was witnessed by DILG Undersecretary for Local Government, Marlo L. Iringan, together with top officials and employees from both DILG Regional Offices 1 and 2.
DILG R2 Assistant Regional Director Elpidio A. Durwin, in his opening remarks, shared that change is but a constant thing in the world and he is sure that both regions will be able to adapt well with the exchange of directors.
Testimonies honoring Dir. Leusen were also given by Provincial Director Corazon D. Toribio, Cluster Head Luis E. Udanga, FAD Chief Ive B. Saludez and MLGOO Celso M. Alvarado, Jr., where they recalled fond personal and professional encounters with the former.
Enjoying a light moment, RD Leusen and Usec. Iringan laugh at the jokes cracked during the turnover ceremony testimonial message
Meanwhile, Dir. Leusen thanked all the men and women of DILG R2 for the support he received during his 6-year stint in the Cagayan Valley region. He asked for all DILG R2 officials and employees to give Dir. De Leon twice the support they gave him.
Dir. De Leon shares the competencies she plans to carry-on as the new regional director of DILG R2
On the other hand, Dir. De Leon, during her acceptance speech, was profoundly grateful for being able to return. She saw her reassignment as an opportunity to give back to her home region. She also shared three competencies she developed while in region 1 which she plans to carry on as the regional director of DILG R2 - that is to inspire her staff and subordinates, to come up with innovations, and having decisiveness in maneuvering around politics, standing by one’s principles and fighting for what is right.
Usec. Iringan bids both Dir. Leusen and Dir. De Leon in their new posts during the turnover ceremony in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Finally, Usec. Marlo L. Iringan complemented Dir. Leusen for being a geniune person, a good listener who consults his subordinates, while emphasizing that movements are neither a reward nor punishment butrather, are management prerogatives and actions that management deem fit. Nevertheless, he expressed that he expects no less from everyone and to do their best.
A native of Diffun, Quirino, Dir. De Leon cut her teeth with the Department in Region 2 when she was formerly the City Local Government Operations Officer of Santiago City.
LGOO III MEYNARD ABRAM M. VENTURA
