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Rex Gatchalian

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Ting and the surname or paternal family name is Gatchalian.
The Honorable
Rex Gatchalian
張僑倫
Official portrait of Gatchalian in the 19th Congress
28th Secretary of Social Welfare and Development
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 31, 2023
PresidentBongbong Marcos
Preceded byEduardo Punay (OIC)
Member of the
Philippine House of Representatives
from Valenzuela's 1st district
In office
June 30, 2022 – January 31, 2023
Preceded byWes Gatchalian
Succeeded byVacant
In office
June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2013
Preceded byBobbit Carlos
Succeeded byWin Gatchalian
26th Mayor of Valenzuela
In office
June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022
Vice MayorEric Martinez (2013–2016)
Lorena Natividad-Borja (2016–2022)
Preceded byWin Gatchalian
Succeeded byWes Gatchalian
Personal details
Born
Rexlon Ting Gatchalian

(1979-01-21) January 21, 1979 (age 45)
Manila, Philippines
Political partyNationalist People's Coalition
RelationsWin Gatchalian (brother)
Wes Gatchalian (brother)
ResidenceValenzuela, Metro Manila
Alma materGeorge Washington University (BA, BS)
ProfessionPolitician, public servant

Rexlon Ting Gatchalian (born January 21, 1979) is a Filipino politician serving as the 28th Secretary of Social Welfare and Development since 2023. He previously served as the district representative[1] and Mayor of Valenzuela, Philippines.[2][3] He is the brother of politicians Win Gatchalian and Wes Gatchalian.

Early life and early career

Gatchalian was born on January 21, 1979. He completed his primary and secondary education at Xavier School in San Juan, Metro Manila.

He started his career as a sales assistant or special projects coordinator for Air Philippines Inc. in 1998. He then became a special assistant to the President/CEO of the Philippines Estates Corporation. He served as an intern of Political Affairs Group in 2000 and as a paralegal for Williams and Connelly, LLP in Washington, D.C. in 2001. He later graduated cum laude in 2001 from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., United States, with a bachelor's degree in political science, with secondary fields of study in marketing and psychology.[4]

In 2001, he was named vice president for sales & marketing of Waterfront Hotels and Casinos, the country's largest Filipino-owned first-class hotel operator. One year later, he was named as its executive vice president for hotel operations. In 2005, he was elected president of Waterfront Hotels and Casinos.[4]

Political career

First congressional attempt (2004)

Rex Gatchalian (left) and his brother Win (right) with Fernando Poe Jr. (center) in 2004

Gatchalian first ran for representative of the 1st district of Valenzuela, in 2004 but lost to outgoing Mayor Bobbit Carlos.[5]

Congressional career (2007–2013)

In 2007, Gatchalian ran for representative of the 1st District of Valenzuela once again and was successful this time. He was one of the youngest legislators during the 14th Congress.

As Vice-chairman for the Congressional Committee for Overseas Workers’ Affairs, he authored Republic Act No. 10022, also known as An Act Amending R.A. 8042, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. The law mandates new policies for the further protection and genuine representation of migrant workers. He is also one of the principal authors of Republic Act No. 9576, or the law that doubles the maximum deposit insurance coverage by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) from ₱250,000 to ₱500,000. It was also during his first term as Representative that he was elected as National Spokesperson for the political party Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC).

In 2010, Gatchalian was re-elected as representative of the 1st District of Valenzuela for the 15th Congress with the largest electoral margin in the district's history. At the age of 31, he became the youngest member of the Commission on Appointments in history, and the only Congressional Representation from the City of Valenzuela to be a member. He also served as the Senior Vice-chairman for the Congressional Committee on Games & Amusements.

Mayor of Valenzuela City (2013–2022)

Mayor Gatchalian speaking to his constituents

Gatchalian was elected Mayor of Valenzuela in 2013. He was re-elected in 2016 and in 2019.[6]

His public service platform, better known as the “Five Pillars of Good Governance,” focused on the essential needs of his constituents: Education, Health and Social Services, Housing, Job Generation, and Trade and Industry.

He oversaw the creation of 48 barangay health stations (BHS) city-wide and the 14 Sentro ng Sama-Samang Serbisyo or 3S Centers as well as the ALERT Center, the Valenzuela City's Peoples Park, and the Valenzuela School of Mathematics and Science.

Programs

Other programs developed under his term as a Mayor include:

  • 3S Plus Electronic Terminal - the Philippines’ first electronic building permit application system[7]
  • Bantay Estudyante – the first senior citizen-force multiplier group that protects the safety of children who walk their way to public schools[8]
  • Bantay Ilog – the first local flood control arm that safeguards the city' rivers and creeks from pollutants[9]
  • Barangay-Based Feeding Program (BBFP) – the local government's free supply of nutritious, ready-to-cook food for malnourished children aged six months to five years, provided that their parents regularly bring them to the barangay health station for weighing, check-up and vaccination[10]
  • Kitchen-on-Wheels – the mobile kitchen used by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to immediately transport meals for typhoon victims or disaster-stricken communities[11]
  • Women's Wellness Clinic, Mobile Medical and Dental Clinics, and Mobile Botika (pharmacy) – the city government's mobile health facilities for medical missions and rescue operations[12]
  • VPOW or Valenzuela Police-on-Wheels - the first mobile police precinct in the country[13]
  • www.ValenzuelaTrabaho.gov.ph - the first job-matching website operated by a local government unit (LGU)[14]
  • Education 360 Degrees Investment Program- addresses education problems the city is facing. The program is a holistic approach to uplifting the quality of local basic education. The City Government of Valenzuela, through this program, distributed 24,000 tablets to public elementary and high school students making sure that no student is left behind in quality education.[15]
  • Disiplina Village Bignay, Ugong, Lingunan, Arkong Bato- Disiplina Village is the biggest in-city medium-rise public rental housing project in the country. It has a 3S Center, barangay health station, Police Community Precinct, Fire Substation, Barangay Hall and Daycare Center (aside from other four day care centers scattered among the clusters of buildings). It is complete with basic education facilities with the inclusion of the Disiplina Village Bignay Elementary and High School. The Activity Center/Covered Court and the mini park can be found at its heart. The construction of the Disiplina Village Transport Terminal, public market, and chapel are underway.[16]
  • 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services- This is the first integrated permit application system in the country. It provides a single platform for the application of the permits and request for documents. The highlight of the system, is "Paspas Permit". Paspas Permit is a 10-second business permit application system.[17]
  • PPP Projects- Marulas Public Market, Valenzuela Town Center, Disiplina Village Bignay Transport Terminal at Public Market, expansion of Valenzuela City Hemodialysis Center at Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital.[18]
  • 3S Centers- 3S Centers, stand for "Sentro ng Sama-samang Serbisyo" are "little city halls" designed to bring the government services closer to local residents. As of December 2020, the city now has 24 3S centers.[19]

Liveable Valenzuela City

After completing his projects for the 5 Pillars, Gatchalian's second wave of undertakings focused on transforming Valenzuela City into a more liveable one. His notion of a liveable city essentially implies the presence of a leveled up infrastructure network and integrated sound protocols on logistics and management that will enable the city to respond to disasters and other challenges - hence, the birth of the ALERT Center (Allied Local Emergency and Evacuation Response Teams).[20] The ALERT Center is the brain of the disaster preparedness and response of the city, and the roof of the Valenzuela City Disaster Preparedness Office (DPO), the new Central Fire Station, Red Cross Volunteer Center, the Valenzuela City Command and Coordinating Center (VCC3), and the VC Tent.

In 2014, Gatchalian started inaugurating the 3S Centers[21] or the Sentro ng Sama-samang Serbisyo. The ‘little city halls’ house the fundamental satellite offices of the local government, such as the barangay health stations, fire substations, Serbisyo Centers (satellite offices for the payment of business permits, real property, and other government taxes), and many more.

On February 14, 2015, the city's 17th Charter Day, Valenzuelanos’ much awaited Valenzuela City People's Park[22] was officially opened to the public.

Another facility in the city that boasts of a nature-centered open space and is free to the public is the Valenzuela City Family Park also in Karuhatan. There is a playground, interactive fountain, aviary, fitness machines, amphitheater, and a food park in the park. The park is also pet-friendly, bike-friendly, and accessible to persons with disability.[23]

One of the many initiatives of the city government to create greener spaces, Polo Mini Park was inaugurated on January 21, 2020, six months after the announcement of the rehabilitation of the historical old town square of Polo. The park is adorned with hundred-years old luscious trees, fountain, memorial marker commemorating war veterans and statues of Pío Valenzuela and José Rizal. The park signifies not only a place for relaxation but also marks the historical identity of the city.[24]

Dubbed as Valenzuela City's "best kept secret", the Tagalag Fishing Village lies beside a 1.3 km (0.81 mi) boardwalk in Barangay Tagalag. Various activities are being offered in one of the newest attractions in the city such as recreational fishing, line fishing tutorials, bird watching, boating, photowalk, and sunset watching.[25]

COVID-19 response

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Valenzuela City was the first local government to conduct localized targeted mass testing.[26] The city kicked off its own localized targeted mass testing for the coronavirus disease on April 11, 2020.

On September 12, 2020, the City Government of Valenzuela was able to acquire a COVID-19 testing laboratory license to operate for our Valenzuela Hope Molecular Laboratory, which complements the operation of the 24/7 Valenzuela City Mega Contact Tracing Center. The laboratory can process 800 samples a day, and also accepts other cities' samples to be processed at Valenzuela Hope Molecular Laboratory.[27]

In addressing the crowd and long lines in public markets, mobile palengkes were rolled out.

Valenzuela Tracing Application [28] began to roll out on September 12, 2020. It is an automated contact tracing system through the use of QR codes, which provides safe, timely contact identification. ValTrace is also interconnected with Pasig and Antipolo.[29]

Under the Alagang Valenzuelano program of Valenzuela City, they distributed food vouchers to families in the city.[30] as well as care bags for children with disabilities [31] and NutriPacks for kids enrolled at public daycare centers.[32]

On January 10, 2021, the city government has also signed a deal for advance purchase of 640,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca to vaccinate 320,000 individuals, 70% of the population of the city.[33]

Congressional career (2022–2023)

Being term-limited for mayor, Gatchalian ran for representative of the 1st district of Valenzuela in 2022.[34] He eventually won in an uncontested race. He was then elected as the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government of the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress.[35]

Secretary of Social Welfare and Development (2023–present)

On January 31, 2023, Gatchalian was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as Secretary of Social Welfare and Development; he took oath on the same day.[36] With his appointment, he gave up his congressional seat.

Awards and recognitions

Valenzuela City earned several citations under the Gatchalian's leadership. The citations profess the city's economic accountability, livability and disaster preparedness, outstanding employment and micro-entrepreneurship development programs, timely health and social protection policies, and sound implementation of peace and order advocacies.[4][37][38][39][40]

Valenzuela City, led by Mayor Rex Gatchalian, landed three of the Top 10 Outstanding Local Governance Programs in Galing Pook Awards- Valenzuela Live, Tagalag Fishing Village and Paspas Permit.[41]

References

  1. ^ "2022 local and national elections". The Philippine STAR.
  2. ^ "Congress consolidating measures to defer barangay elections". BusinessWorld. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2010. ... Rexlon T. Gatchalian (1st district, Valenzuela City), .... [permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ Natividad, Beverly T. (5 November 2010). "Gatchalian, Oreta keep mayoral post in Valenzuela, Malabon". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 14 May 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  4. ^ a b c "Hon. REX Gatchalian". City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Laude, Pete (March 25, 2007). "3 Gatchalian brothers eyeing Valenzuela posts". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  6. ^ Valenzuela, Nikka (May 14, 2019). "Rex Gatchalian gets 3rd term as Valenzuela mayor". Inquirer.net. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  7. ^ Melican, Nathaniel R. (3 February 2014). "Valenzuela launches automated permit approval system". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  8. ^ Arcilla, Camille Anne M. (11 July 2014). "Valenzuela seniors back to school…as traffic aides". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  9. ^ Melican, Nathaniel R. (July 2014). "Valenzuela City dead serious about river protection". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  10. ^ Abad, Roderick (2017-10-25). "Pioneering state-run baby-food plant inaugurated in Valenzuela - Roderick Abad". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  11. ^ "Our Kitchen On Wheels at Valenzuela National HS to deliver hot meals to our evacuees from A. Fernando, Marulas. As of 11:30am, 11 familiespic.twitter.com/6nMZ0VywrE". @valenzuelacity. 2017-07-26. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  12. ^ "New mobile clinic beefs up Valenzuela health services". Manila Metro. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  13. ^ "Precinct-on-Wheels to Bring Police Closer to Communities". City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  14. ^ "Valenzuela City launches job-matching website for residents". newsinfo.inquirer.net. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  15. ^ "News". Philippine Information Agency.
  16. ^ "Best Practices".
  17. ^ "Valenzuela Works".
  18. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20230909100149/https://archive.abante.com.ph/mayor-rex-poster-boy-ng-programa.htm
  19. ^ "News". Philippine Information Agency.
  20. ^ "Valenzuela to set up disaster-preparedness center". The Manila Times. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  21. ^ Paunan, Jerome Carlo R. (July 27, 2018). "Valenzuela City opens two more city hall annexes". pia.gov.ph. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  22. ^ Yee, Jovic (March 2015). "People's Park is just what Valenzuela folk wanted". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  23. ^ De Leon, Susan G. (March 14, 2019). "Valenzuela opens new family park". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  24. ^ "Valenzuela marks greener, upgraded, historic Polo Park". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  25. ^ Cayabyab, Marc Jayson. "Valenzuela opens first fishing village". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  26. ^ Dimatulac, Crissy (April 11, 2020). "Valenzuela City begins COVID-19 targeted mass testing". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  27. ^ "'A chorus of funds' sustains Valenzuela City's COVID-19 mass testing". 11 December 2020.
  28. ^ "Valenzuela creates contact tracing app via QR code system". Philippine News Agency.
  29. ^ "News". Philippine Information Agency.
  30. ^ "You are being redirected". Ptvnews.ph. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  31. ^ "Valenzuela delivers 'care bags' to children with disabilities".
  32. ^ "News". Philippine Information Agency.
  33. ^ "Valenzuela City inks deal for supply of 640K doses of AstraZeneca vaccine". 10 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Wes, Rex Gatchalian seek to switch Valenzuela posts in 2022". Rappler. October 2021.
  35. ^ "More House members get committee chairmanships". 27 July 2022.
  36. ^ "Marcos picks Rex Gatchalian to head DSWD". Philstar.com. January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  37. ^ Geronimo, Jee Y. (13 October 2017). "Best practices of 10 LGUs recognized at 2017 Galing Pook Awards". Rappler. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  38. ^ Abad, Roderick (2017-11-15). "Valenzuela collects 3rd Galing Pook award - Roderick Abad". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  39. ^ "Valenzuela City gets 4 awards in July". The Manila Times. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  40. ^ "Valenzuela City Achievements". Tayo Na, Valenzuela!. City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  41. ^ "Valenzuela City wins big at 2021 Galing Pook Awards". Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rex Gatchalian.
House of Representatives of the Philippines
Preceded by Representative of the First District of Valenzuela
2007–2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Representative of the First District of Valenzuela
2022–2023 		Vacant
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Valenzuela
2013–2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Eduardo Punay
OIC
 Secretary of Social Welfare and Development
2023–present 		Incumbent
Order of precedence
Preceded byas Secretary of Human Settlements and Urban Development Order of Precedence of the Philippines
as Secretary of Social Welfare and Development 		Succeeded byas Secretary of Agrarian Reform
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