LEGAZPI CITY --- There was a “changing of the guards” at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office.

        Joselin Marcus E. Fragada formally assumed last Holy Wednesday his post as Regional Executive Director of the DENR in Bicol vice Reynulfo A. Juan who had been officer-in-charge of the regional office since January 2007.

        In a special order dated March 11, 2008, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza designated Fragada as RED, DENR-Regional 5, with Juan remaining as Regional Director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 5.

        During the turn-over ceremony held at the DENR regional office lobby, Fragada disclosed his management style, saying that he trusts and values his subordinates, for after all “its you – PENROs and CENROs and all personnel – who do the ‘dirty’ work.”

        He humbly asked for patience and understanding, adding that youth means a lot of things, it can mean – open-mindedness, change for the better, and what is more important it can mean progress for everyone.

        Fragada admitted that he and Cong. Dato Arroyo had been friends even before they became classmates at the Ateneo de Naga from 1995-97.

        “But I was appointed full-fledged regional executive director not because of my connections but because of my qualifications,” he said.

        According to Fragada, before assuming his new position, he had worked for the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Philippine National Railways. He said he had some experience working for a mining firm in Mindoro.

        He assured everyone that his actions, as RED, will always be guided by the principles and the values of honesty, humility, transparency and accountability.

        The new regional DENR chief wrapped-up his talk with St. Ignatius of Loyola’s prayer for generosity. (ASA with report by Florencio P. Narito)