Rex Gatchalian is new DSWD secretary

By Alec Go

Valenzuela City First District Representative Rex Gatchalian took oath on Tuesday, Jan. 31, as the new secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

This was announced by the Presidential Communications Office through a video of the oath taking led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Gatchalian previously served as a three-term city mayor of Valenzuela from 2013 to 2022. In 2021, Valenzuela was among the Top 10 Outstanding Local Governance Programs at the Galing Pook Awards.

Gatchalian served as a House representative before he joined the mayoral race. 

Based on Valenzuela government’s website, Gatchalian finished his Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Political Science at the George Washington University.

In a social media post, the new DSWD chief thanked Marcos for the appointment.

“Mr. President, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be able to serve the country in a much larger capacity,” he said.

“Valenzuelanos, the services of our Congress and district offices will not change. Tuloy tuloy po ang serbisyo,” he added.