Incoming OIC-Regional Director Jesus Elpidio B. Atal, Jr. formally took the leadership and responsibilities from Outgoing Regional Director Joel M. Gonzales to steer the DOLE Region 02 at a turnover ceremony held at the DOLE Regional Office No. 02 Grounds on April 13, 2023.

OIC-Regional Director Atal, Jr. has served as DOLE Region 02’s Assistant Regional Director for more than seven years across two stints from April 2010 to March 2016 and from December 2021 to April 2023, and after more than five years of successful stints as Assistant Regional Director in DOLE Region 06, DOLE Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and DOLE Region 01.

“You gave me the confidence to believe in myself that I never thought I had and all our talks have really given me the capacity to stand here today, ready to assume what you will leave behind as you pursue and lead another regional office through your tried and tested leadership style,” OIC-RD Atal, Jr. said of RD Gonzales in his acceptance message.

OIC-RD Atal, Jr. also remarked on his desire to continue the good work that was started by RD Gonzales in Region 02, leading to enhanced performance of staff across its regional and provincial offices from 2021 to 2023.

Outgoing-Regional Director Gonzales meanwhile takes over the leadership responsibility at DOLE Region 12, after serving in Region 02 since February 2021, a stint of more than two years. RD Gonzales has also served seven other regional offices throughout the country before assuming the Regional Director post in Region 02.

“I went through ups and downs but these experiences molded me and changed me into the person I have become and this passion I have for work translated to accomplishments for the regional office. Please continue to make our programs have an impact in the lives of our beneficiaries,” RD Gonzales said.

Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) personnel meanwhile shared their messages of thanks to RD Gonzales for his leadership and support for more than two years, led by TESDA RO2 Assistant Regional Director Romeo O. Talosig, RTWPB Board Secretary Heidelwina M. Tarrosa, PRC Regional Director Rodrigo F. Balaqui, Jr., NLRC Executive Labor Arbiter, Atty. Ma. Lourdes R. Baricaua, OSHC Head, Engr. Karen Matusalem and RCMB II Director Feliciano R. Orihuela, Jr.

DOLE Region 02 Management Committee members who shares messages to the outgoing Regional Director include Mediator-Arbiter, Atty. Mary Gladys R. Paguirigan, CVEU President and DOLE-Cagayan Field Office (CFO) Head, Grace A. Pomar, DOLE-Quirino Field Office (QFO) Head Geraldine B. Labayani, DOLE-Nueva Vizcaya Field Office (NVFO) Head Elizabeth U. Martinez, DOLE-Isabela Field Office (IFO) Chief Evelyn U. Yango, DOLE-Batanes Satellite Office (BSO) Head Ramoncito Liggayu and Office of the Regional Director (ORD) Management Staff Head Rocialyn B. Jallorina.

Meanwhile, Atty. Nepomuceno A. Leaño II takes over as the new Assistant Regional Director for DOLE Region 02 after serving as DOLE Region IV-A’s Assistant Regional Director since August 2018. Atty. Leaño II is also a former Mediator-Arbiter and had two stints as OIC-Assistant Regional Director for DOLE-National Capital Region (NCR) from 2015 to 2016 and another in 2018.

Today’s turnover was attended by the regional office staff, to include its personnel from the DOLE provincial offices in Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya and its Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) members. ###