Duterte names Pinol as CORD for Region 12, Lorenzana for BARMM

KIDAPAWAN CITY - President Duterte on Monday named Agriculture Sec. Emmanuel Pinol as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for the Soccsksargen region.

Pinol was one of the 16 cabinet secretaries named by Duterte during this week’s cabinet meeting in Malacanang.

Duterte also named Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana as CORDS for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

CORDS will serve as virtual alter ego of Pres. Duterte in the regions across the country.

As CORDS, the 16 Cabinet Members will oversee the peace and development efforts in their regions of assignment and "assist the President in the speedy, efficient and orderly resolution of problems in government operations."

The CORDS will also preside over joint meetings of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to harmonize peace, security and development efforts in the assigned region.

In a statement, Malacanang said the CORD will also be tasked to "ensure that all programs, projects and activities of the national government in the region are well implemented, and information thereon fully disseminated to the people through various mechanisms and strategies."

Among those designated as CORDS were Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez who will handle the President's home region, Davao Region and Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles who will handle Caraga Region.

Other CORDS and their regions of assignment are:

Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, National Security Adviser - Region 1 Ilocos;

Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Dept. of Labor, Region 2 Cagayan Valley;

Secretary Carlito Galvez, Presidential Peace Adviser, Region 3 Central Luzon;

Secretary Eduardo Año, Dept of Interior and Local Govt., Region IV-A Southern Tagalog;

Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Dept. of Energy, Region IV-B MIMAROPA;

Secretary Roy Cimatu, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Region VI Western Visayas; Presidential Asst. Michael Lloyd Dino, Region VII Central Visayas;

Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, HUDCC, Region 8 Eastern Visayas;

Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, Dept. of Social Welfare and Development, Region IX Zamboanga Peninsula;

Secretary Martin Andanar, Presidential Communications Office, Region X Northern Mindanao;

Secretary Mark Villar, Dept. of Public Works and Highways, National Capital Region;

Acting Secretary Janet Abuel, Dept. of Budget and Management, Cordillera Autonomous Region