Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Concerns, Secretary Antonio Cerilles, announced plans on Monday to set up a Cagayan de Oro satellite office to facilitate direct communication of Mindanao issues to Malacañang.
Cerilles shared the proposal during a press briefing in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, revealing that he had already discussed it with the Office of the President (OP). “If I go home here (Pagadian), my house will also serve as an office,” he said.
The former Zamboanga del Sur governor and Environment secretary plans to focus on two key areas: local government affairs in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and agricultural programs with the Department of Agriculture.
The office aims to expedite the handling of Mindanao-related issues by establishing closer ties with the Mindanao Development Authority while Cerilles continues his advisory role. He was appointed in March by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address issues specific to Mindanao.
