President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made more additions to his Cabinet on Wednesday, appointing Danilo Cruz as director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Bowling legend Olivia Garcia “Bong” Coo has also been designated as a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a statement.
Cruz served as undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment under the Arroyo administration.
Coo brought pride to the country after bagging several medals in various tournaments including five gold, two silver, and three bronze medals in the Asian Games as well as eight gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.
The PSC will name one chairman and three commissioners following Coo’s appointment.
The President also appointed Health Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago as incident manager of the National Vaccination Operations Center.
Marcos also named more officials to head several attached agencies of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
In an appointment letter signed by Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez, the President named Cesar Chiong as the Acting General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
For the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Edgardo Diaz has been appointed as Deputy Director General for Operations, while Manuel Antonio Tamayo will serve as the Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance.
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) shall remain under the leadership of Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla.
The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) will be under a new Administrator, former police general Ma. O Ranada Aplasca.
For the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Marcos has appointed Hernani Nieves Fabia as its new Administrator.
Meanwhile, Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. has named his picks for the agency’s undersecretary positions.
Faustino, a former Armed Forces chief, selected four retired Army generals to become Defense undersecretaries, subject to the President’s approval:Retired Brig. Gen. Ignacio Madriaga – recommended as the undersecretary for strategic assessment and planning; Retired Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso III – recommended as the undersecretary for acquisition and resource management; Retired Lt. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal – recommended as the undersecretary for civil, veterans, and reserve affairs; and Retired Maj. Gen. Angelito De Leon – recommended as the undersecretary for capability assessment and development.
Madriaga, Diñoso, and Gacal were Faustino’s classmates at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maringal” Class of 1988.