Ramos wishes would-be successor well

 
MANILA, Philippines - Reiterating that he wants to spend more time with his wife and children,  outgoing National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Benito Ramos to questions about his resignation.

Ramos, who resigned last week, faced defense reporters Monday after giving an orientation to retired general Eduardo del Rosario, his possible successor.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has recommended del Rosario to succeed Ramos but a formal appointment has yet to be made.

Ramos said he wants to spend more time with his wife, who is suffering from diabetes, and his two children.

“I believe that my services in the Army for 36 years plus two years at the OCD (Office of Civil Defense) are good enough for the service of the Filipino people,” Ramos said.

Ramos was chief of the Army’s elite forces when he retired from the service in 2008.

“We are already senior citizens and we are not growing any younger. I want also to devote my time, the remaining days of our lives, the twilight years of our life together as a family,” he added.

Ramos admitted that his children are now aloof towards him since he was away from home most of the time.

“As for my wife, I am not a doctor and I cannot heal her but my presence, the togetherness of a family is also important,” Ramos said.

Ramos expressed confidence that whoever succeeds him would be able to perform the job.

Ramos refused to confirm that he would be succeeded by del Rosario, who was his junior officer in the Army. He said nothing is final until the president makes a formal appointment.

Del Rosario, however, said his visit to NDRRMC was some sort of an “on-the-job training” for him.

“I have 17 days to orient myself and undergo my OJT or on the job training and if selected by the president, I’ll be ready to takeover on Feb. 1,” del Rosario said.

Del Rosario reported to the NDRRMC at 10 a.m. Monday. He was introduced to local civil defense officials and representatives of some member-agencies of NDRRMC.

Del Rosario retired from the military service last November as commander of the Army’s 2nd division based in Tanay.

A member of Philippine Military Academy class ’80, del Rosario was the head of Task Force Kailihim, which conducted search operations after the aircraft carrying then Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo crashed off Masbate last August.

Some NDRRMC employees were shedding tears as Ramos was thanking his subordinates and the media for their support.

“To whoever will succeed me, let us make maximum participation of the media,” Ramos said.