Abenina gets DILG post

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose D. Lina Jr. announced yesterday the appointment of former Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief retired Gen. Edgardo Abenina as the chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) action center.

Lina said Abenina who has the rank of assistant secretary will take charge of all complaints against local officials and monitor the implementation of infrastructure projects of local government units all over the country.

"Abenina will closely coordinate with the Office of the Ombudsman in performing his task," Lina said.

Abenina was the controversial chief of the LTO who was linked to the assassination of self-styled spokesman of the Young Officer-Union (YOU) Baron Cervantes. He denied the charges and quit his post as the LTO chief.

As the head of the DILG action center, Abenina will be receiving complaints against local officials, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Also included in his task is the implementation of the anti-red tape program of the DILG which is aimed at the fast delivery of basic services, particularly in the countryside. — Perseus Echeminada