Atty. Arnaldo E. Escober, Jr., CESO V received the symbolic key and the DILG banner from Director Karl Caesar R. Rimando, CESO III, who will lead DILG Region 3. OIC-Regional Director Escober, more popularly known as “RD Isko” is a member of Batch 43, and was the Assistant Regional Director of DILG Region 5 before his posting in Region 8. In his Acceptance Speech, RD Isko revealed that he has spent a total of 24 years in the Department, starting as a Contract of Service (COS) employee for two years, before becoming a Local Government Operations Officer II. He took up law while serving in the Department, where he distinguished himself as an MLGOO, then later on as Legal Officer, Provincial Director of Catanduanes, OIC-Assistant Regional Director, and then as full-fledged Assistant Director.

Atty. Escober acknowledged the guidance of DILG 5 Regional Director Atty. Anthony Nuyda, while declaring that Dir. Rimando had been his mentor during his participation in the training team for the LGOO Induction Program at the Local Government Academy in Los Banos, Laguna.

Director Escober plans to build upon the systems and initiatives of Dir. Rimando even while incorporating his own ideas to achieve the cues outlined by DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año in his recorded video greetings. SILG Año in his remarks, expressed confidence in the leadership of Atty. Escober in battling COVID, strengthening peace and order, and instilling resilience from disasters, among others.

On the other hand, Outgoing Regional Director Rimando of Batch 40 thanked the staff of DILG Region 8 for their warm welcome during his less than two years in Eastern Visayas that resulted in an increased agency performance. He likewise requested that they show the same enthusiasm and support to Director Escober. Assistant Regional Director Atty. Darwin N. Bibar in his Opening Remarks, ensured the readiness of the staff to work with Atty. Escober to achieve the DILG’s organizational goals.