Photo credit: PCO

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. just swore in a familiar face in local governance as the new head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The ceremony, held at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, saw long-time Cavite governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla officially taking on his new role as DILG Secretary.

So, what does this mean for local governance in the Philippines? With years of experience leading Cavite—one of the most progressive provinces in the country—Remulla is bringing his distinct leadership style to the national level. His appointment hints at a focus on strengthening local government units (LGUs) and ensuring a more efficient response to pressing issues such as disaster preparedness, peace and order, and social welfare.

At the ceremony, President Marcos emphasized the importance of a strong DILG leader in maintaining peace, order, and good local governance, expressing his full confidence in Remulla’s capacity to drive progress at both the grassroots and national levels.