DPWH, MMDA have new chiefs

• Southern Leyte representative Roger Mercado is the acting secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways

• Romando Artes has been appointed general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

• Mercado replaces Mark Villar and Artes takes the place of Jose Arturo Garcia, with Villar and Artes both running for Congress in the 2022 elections

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Southern Leyte representative Roger Mercado as acting secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Romando Artes as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Mercado was sworn into office on October 13 by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea after his appointment paper was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on October 12. Mercado replaces Mark Villar, who resigned effective October 6 to run for the Senate in the 2022 elections.

Artes takes over from Jose Arturo Garcia, who also resigned to run as congressman. Prior to his appointment as general manager, Artes was MMDA assistant general manager for finance and administration since 2017.

Mercado, who hails from Maasin City, Southern Leyte, has been the representative of Southern Leyte in the 18^th Congress since 2016. He also served as congressman during the 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 13^th, 14^th, 15^th, and 17^th Congresses. In addition, Mercado was governor of Southern Leyte from 2013 to 2016.

Currently, he is the vice chairperson of the Lower House Committee on Public Works and a deputy majority leader for the Committee on Rules.