President Rodrigo Duterte has named Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado as the new secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Mercado replaced Mark Villar, who resigned to seek a senatorial seat in 2022.

In Congress, Mercado was the vice chairman of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also named its new general manager on Tuesday: lawyer Romando “Don” Artes.

Artes replaced Jojo Garcia who resigned from the MMDA to run for a congressional post.

Artes had served as the MMDA’s assistant general manager for finance and administration.

The new appointments were confirmed by Palace spokesman Harry Roque on Wednesday evening.

“We are confident that Secretary Mercado and General Manager Artes will continue to oversee the completion of their department’s programs and projects in the remaining months of the current government,” Roque said. “We wish Sec. Mercado and GM Artes all the best in their new assignments.” John Ezekiel J. Hirro