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Rexlon Ting Gatchalian (born January 21, 1979) is a Filipino politician who has served as the 28th secretary of social welfare and development since 2023. He previously served as the representative of Valenzuela's first district from 2007 to 2013 and from 2022 to 2023 and as mayor of Valenzuela from 2013 to 2022.[1][2][3] He is the brother of politicians Win and Wes Gatchalian.

Key Information

Early life and early career

[edit]

Gatchalian was born on January 21, 1979, to industrialist William Gatchalian and Dee Hua Ting. He is the third of four siblings, namely Sherwin, Kenneth, and Weslie. The Gatchalian family identifies as Christian with Dee Hua being a pastor and chairman at their own church called Jesus our Life Ministries in Barangay Maysan, Valenzuela. He completed his primary and secondary education at Xavier School in San Juan, Metro Manila.

He started his career as a sales assistant or special projects coordinator for Air Philippines Inc. in 1998. He then became a special assistant to the President/CEO of the Philippines Estates Corporation. He served as an intern of Political Affairs Group in 2000 and as a paralegal for Williams and Connelly, LLP in Washington, D.C. in 2001. He later graduated cum laude in 2001 from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., United States, with a bachelor's degree in political science, with secondary fields of study in marketing and psychology.[4]

In 2001, he was named vice president for sales & marketing of Waterfront Hotels and Casinos, the country's largest Filipino-owned first-class hotel operator. One year later, he was named as its executive vice president for hotel operations. In 2005, he was elected president of Waterfront Hotels and Casinos.[4]

House of Representatives of the Philippines

[edit]

Elections

[edit]
Rex Gatchalian (left) and his brother Win (right) with Fernando Poe Jr. (center) in 2004

Gatchalian first ran for representative of the first district of Valenzuela, in 2004 but lost to outgoing Mayor Bobbit Carlos.[5]

In 2007, Gatchalian ran for representative of the first district of Valenzuela again and was successful this time. He was one of the youngest legislators during the 14th Congress.

In 2010, Gatchalian was re-elected as representative of the first District of Valenzuela for the 15th Congress with the largest electoral margin in the district's history.

Tenure

[edit]

As Vice-chairman for the Congressional Committee for Overseas Workers’ Affairs, he authored Republic Act No. 10022, also known as An Act Amending R.A. 8042, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. The law mandates new policies for the further protection and genuine representation of migrant workers. He is also one of the principal authors of Republic Act No. 9576, or the law that doubles the maximum deposit insurance coverage by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) from ₱250,000 to ₱500,000. It was also during his first term as Representative that he was elected as National Spokesperson for the political party Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC).

At the age of 31, he became the youngest member of the Commission on Appointments in history, and the only Congressional Representation from the City of Valenzuela to be a member. He also served as the Senior Vice-chairman for the Congressional Committee on Games & Amusements.

Mayor of Valenzuela (2013–2022)

[edit]
Mayor Gatchalian speaking to his constituents

Gatchalian was elected mayor of Valenzuela in 2013. He was re-elected in 2016 and in 2019.[6]

His public service platform, better known as the “Five Pillars of Good Governance,” focused on the essential needs of his constituents: Education, Health and Social Services, Housing, Job Generation, and Trade and Industry.

He oversaw the creation of 48 barangay health stations (BHS) city-wide and the 14 Sentro ng Sama-Samang Serbisyo or 3S Centers as well as the ALERT Center, the Valenzuela City's Peoples Park, and the Valenzuela School of Mathematics and Science.

Programs

[edit]

Other programs developed under his term as a Mayor include:

  • 3S Plus Electronic Terminal - the Philippines’ first electronic building permit application system[7]
  • Bantay Estudyante – the first senior citizen-force multiplier group that protects the safety of children who walk their way to public schools[8]
  • Bantay Ilog – the first local flood control arm that safeguards the city' rivers and creeks from pollutants[9]
  • Barangay-Based Feeding Program (BBFP) – the local government's free supply of nutritious, ready-to-cook food for malnourished children aged six months to five years, provided that their parents regularly bring them to the barangay health station for weighing, check-up and vaccination[10]
  • Kitchen-on-Wheels – the mobile kitchen used by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to immediately transport meals for typhoon victims or disaster-stricken communities[11]
  • Women's Wellness Clinic, Mobile Medical and Dental Clinics, and Mobile Botika (pharmacy) – the city government's mobile health facilities for medical missions and rescue operations[12]
  • VPOW or Valenzuela Police-on-Wheels - the first mobile police precinct in the country[13]
  • www.ValenzuelaTrabaho.gov.ph - the first job-matching website operated by a local government unit (LGU)[14]
  • Education 360 Degrees Investment Program- addresses education problems the city is facing. The program is a holistic approach to uplifting the quality of local basic education. The City Government of Valenzuela, through this program, distributed 24,000 tablets to public elementary and high school students making sure that no student is left behind in quality education.[15]
  • Disciplina Village Bignay, Ugong, Lingunan, Arkong Bato- Disciplina Village is the biggest in-city medium-rise public rental housing project in the country. It has a 3S Center, barangay health station, Police Community Precinct, Fire Substation, Barangay Hall and Daycare Center (aside from other four day care centers scattered among the clusters of buildings). It is complete with basic education facilities with the inclusion of the Disciplina Village Bignay Elementary and High School. The Activity Center/Covered Court and the mini park can be found at its heart. The construction of the Disciplina Village Transport Terminal, public market, and chapel are underway.[16]
  • 3S Plus Valenzuela Online Services- This is the first integrated permit application system in the country. It provides a single platform for the application of the permits and request for documents. The highlight of the system, is "Paspas Permit". Paspas Permit is a 10-second business permit application system.[17]
  • PPP Projects- Marulas Public Market, Valenzuela Town Center, Disciplina Village Bignay Transport Terminal at Public Market, expansion of Valenzuela Hemodialysis Center at Valenzuela Emergency Hospital.[18]
  • 3S Centers- 3S Centers, stand for "Sentro ng Sama-samang Serbisyo" are "little city halls" designed to bring the government services closer to local residents. As of December 2020, the city now has 24 3S centers.[19]

Liveable Valenzuela City

[edit]

After completing his projects for the 5 Pillars, Gatchalian's second wave of undertakings focused on transforming Valenzuela into a more liveable one. His notion of a liveable city essentially implies the presence of a leveled up infrastructure network and integrated sound protocols on logistics and management that will enable the city to respond to disasters and other challenges - hence, the birth of the ALERT Center (Allied Local Emergency and Evacuation Response Teams).[20] The ALERT Center is the brain of the disaster preparedness and response of the city, and the roof of the Valenzuela Disaster Preparedness Office (DPO), the new Central Fire Station, Red Cross Volunteer Center, the Valenzuela Command and Coordinating Center (VCC3), and the VC Tent.

In 2014, Gatchalian started inaugurating the 3S Centers[21] or the Sentro ng Sama-samang Serbisyo. The ‘little city halls’ house the fundamental satellite offices of the local government, such as the barangay health stations, fire substations, Serbisyo Centers (satellite offices for the payment of business permits, real property, and other government taxes), and many more.

On February 14, 2015, the city's 17th Charter Day, Valenzuelanos’ much awaited Valenzuela People's Park[22] was officially opened to the public.

Another facility in the city that boasts of a nature-centered open space and is free to the public is the Valenzuela Family Park also in Karuhatan. There is a playground, interactive fountain, aviary, fitness machines, amphitheater, and a food park in the park. The park is also pet-friendly, bike-friendly, and accessible to persons with disability.[23]

One of the many initiatives of the city government to create greener spaces, Polo Mini Park was inaugurated on January 21, 2020, six months after the announcement of the rehabilitation of the historical old town square of Polo. The park is adorned with hundred-years old luscious trees, fountain, memorial marker commemorating war veterans and statues of Pío Valenzuela and José Rizal. The park signifies not only a place for relaxation but also marks the historical identity of the city.[24]

Dubbed as Valenzuela City's "best kept secret", the Tagalag Fishing Village lies beside a 1.3 km (0.81 mi) boardwalk in Barangay Tagalag. Various activities are being offered in one of the newest attractions in the city such as recreational fishing, line fishing tutorials, bird watching, boating, photowalk, and sunset watching.[25]

COVID-19 response

[edit]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Valenzuela was the first local government to conduct localized targeted mass testing.[26] The city kicked off its own localized targeted mass testing for the coronavirus disease on April 11, 2020.

On September 12, 2020, the City Government of Valenzuela was able to acquire a COVID-19 testing laboratory license to operate for our Valenzuela Hope Molecular Laboratory, which complements the operation of the 24/7 Valenzuela Mega Contact Tracing Center. The laboratory can process 800 samples a day, and also accepts other cities' samples to be processed at Valenzuela Hope Molecular Laboratory.[27]

In addressing the crowd and long lines in public markets, mobile palengkes were rolled out.

Valenzuela Tracing Application [28] began to roll out on September 12, 2020. It is an automated contact tracing system through the use of QR codes, which provides safe, timely contact identification. ValTrace is also interconnected with Pasig and Antipolo.[29]

Under the Alagang Valenzuelano program of Valenzuela, they distributed food vouchers to families in the city as well as care bags for children with disabilities [30] and NutriPacks for kids enrolled at public daycare centers.[31]

On January 10, 2021, the city government has also signed a deal for advance purchase of 640,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca to vaccinate 320,000 individuals, 70% of the population of the city.[32]

House of Representatives of the Philippines (2022–2023)

[edit]
Official portrait of Gatchalian during the 19th Congress

Being term-limited for mayor, Gatchalian ran for representative of the first district of Valenzuela in 2022.[33] He eventually won in an uncontested race. He was then elected as the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government of the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress.[34]

Secretary of Social Welfare and Development (2023–present)

[edit]
Gatchalian (left) with President Bongbong Marcos (center), who led the distribution confiscated smuggled rice to 4Ps beneficiaries in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay on September 19, 2023

On January 31, 2023, Gatchalian was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as secretary of social welfare and development; he took oath on the same day.[35] With his appointment, he gave up his House Representative seat of the first district of Valenzuela.

On May 22, 2025, President Marcos ordered members of his cabinet to tender their courtesy resignations in the aftermath of the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.[36][37] Gatchalian complied to this order.[38] He will continue to serve as secretary until the President accepts the resignation.[39]

Awards and recognitions

[edit]

Valenzuela earned several citations under the Gatchalian's leadership. The citations profess the city's economic accountability, livability and disaster preparedness, outstanding employment and micro-entrepreneurship development programs, timely health and social protection policies, and sound implementation of peace and order advocacies.[4][40][41][42][43]

Valenzuela, led by Mayor Rex Gatchalian, landed three of the Top 10 Outstanding Local Governance Programs in Galing Pook Awards- Valenzuela Live, Tagalag Fishing Village and Paspas Permit.[44]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rex Gatchalian

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Rexlon Ting Gatchalian (born January 21, 1979) is a Filipino and businessman who served as the 28th of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) from June 2023 to May 2025. A member of a prominent family in Valenzuela City with interests in manufacturing and hospitality, Gatchalian earned a in from in 2001. He entered as City, holding office from 2013 to 2022 across three terms, where he prioritized governance reforms emphasizing efficient service delivery in education, healthcare, housing, and disaster preparedness. Elected to represent Valenzuela's 1st congressional district in 2022, his legislative tenure was brief, ending with his appointment to the DSWD cabinet post under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In his role at DSWD, Gatchalian managed national initiatives, including expansions of cash assistance programs like 4Ps, interventions against and , and enhanced mechanisms, while advocating for increased funding for vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and street dwellers. His resignation in May 2025 complied with President Marcos's directive for a post-midterm cabinet recalibration, marking the end of his executive service amid the administration's policy adjustments.

Early life and education

Family background and early years

Rexlon Ting Gatchalian was born on January 21, 1979, in , , to businessman William Gatchalian and Dee Hua Ting. He grew up as one of four siblings in the Gatchalian family, which traces its roots to Valenzuela City, an industrial suburb north of Manila where the clan established early business interests in manufacturing and . His brothers include Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian, the eldest and a prominent businessman-turned-politician; Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian, who later served as Valenzuela's mayor; and Kenneth Gatchalian, involved in family enterprises. The Gatchalian family's ascent in Valenzuela intertwined commerce with governance, beginning in the early 2000s when entered local as , setting a pattern of intra-family succession across city hall and congressional seats. This dynastic structure, common in Philippine localities where families leverage economic clout for electoral dominance, provided Rex early immersion in a milieu blending pragmatism with amid Valenzuela's factory-driven economy. Critics of such arrangements, including reports from Philippine oversight bodies, argue they perpetuate elite entrenchment by concentrating power and resources, potentially sidelining merit-based competition, though proponents cite familial continuity as stabilizing local leadership rooted in shared community stakes. Rex's formative years in this setting fostered exposure to entrepreneurial decision-making under his father's influence, with the family's holdings in sectors like plastics and reflecting adaptive responses to Valenzuela's post-industrialization growth, where small-to-medium enterprises faced regulatory and infrastructural hurdles. Such upbringing contrasted the economic pressures of the city's workforce-dominated demographics—over 60% engaged in by the late —with the strategic advantages of inherited networks, shaping a attuned to balancing fiscal viability and social obligations in . This family-centric foundation, while enabling political viability, has drawn for exemplifying broader patterns where dynasties control over 70% of Philippine congressional districts, per electoral analyses, raising questions about diluted in favor of lineage-based .

Formal education

Gatchalian completed his at , a Jesuit institution in , graduating in 1997. He then attended in Washington, D.C., earning a and Sciences in cum laude in 2001, with secondary fields of study in and psychology. No records indicate that Gatchalian pursued postgraduate degrees following his undergraduate studies.

Business career

Pre-political business activities

Rex Gatchalian began his professional in family-owned enterprises, focusing on the and sectors. He served as President and CEO of Acesite Corp., overseeing operations in hotel management and contributing to the company's strategic direction in the Philippine . Prior to his entry into elective politics in , Gatchalian held the position of president of Waterfront Hotels and , a key involved in hotel and gaming operations, where he managed executive responsibilities until resigning for his congressional campaign. These roles were part of the broader Gatchalian family holdings, which include diversified interests in hotels, , and centered in Valenzuela City, where the enterprises supported local economic expansion through investments that generated employment opportunities in service-oriented industries.

Political career

Initial entry and first congressional term (2004–2013)

Rexlon "Rex" Ting Gatchalian, a political newcomer from the prominent Gatchalian business family, first sought election to the in 2004 as the (NPC) candidate for Valenzuela's 1st congressional district. Running against incumbent Emilio "Lito" P. Berroya, Gatchalian's campaign drew on familial ties, including support from his brother Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian, who had recently become , but emphasized platforms favoring and urban infrastructure suited to Valenzuela's industrial base. Despite these efforts, he lost the bid, securing the position only in the subsequent 2007 elections for the 14th Congress. Gatchalian won the seat against competitors by highlighting voter priorities for business incentives and local job creation, attributes linked to the family's enterprises in and . He was reelected in 2010 for the 15th , maintaining NPC affiliation and focusing on constituency services that addressed district-specific needs like access and judicial efficiency. These campaigns benefited from the family's entrenched network in Valenzuela, where the Gatchalians had held mayoral and business influence, though data from the period showed strong support in urban barangays reliant on industrial employment. During his tenure from 2007 to 2013, Gatchalian prioritized legislation on local development, including bills converting annexes of Valenzuela National High School—such as those in Arkong Bato, Bignay, and other areas—into independent national high schools to expand educational capacity. He also authored House Bill No. 4513 in the 15th , which established additional Regional Trial Courts and Municipal Trial Courts in Valenzuela to alleviate judicial backlogs, enacted as Republic Act No. 10065. Other efforts targeted overall welfare and economic measures, aligning with fiscal approaches to incentivize private investment in urban areas, though specific metrics on district employment gains during this period remain undocumented in . Early in his term, Gatchalian advocated for accountability in by calling for the relief of Department of and Highways officials over substandard projects, underscoring a push for improved infrastructure delivery. While these initiatives delivered targeted constituency benefits, such as enhanced local services, Gatchalian's representation occurred amid broader critiques of in Philippine districts like Valenzuela's 1st, where family succession—evident in the Gatchalians' control of executive and legislative roles—has been argued to constrain competitive representation and perpetuate elite dominance over policy agendas. Proponents of anti-dynasty measures, including constitutional provisions, have cited such patterns as limiting diverse voices, though Gatchalian's focus on business-friendly reforms garnered support from economic stakeholders without direct evidence of corruption in his .

Mayoral administration of Valenzuela (2013–2022)

Gatchalian's two-term mayoralty from 2013 to 2022 prioritized executive reforms to foster self-reliant urban development, launching the "Liveable Valenzuela City" initiative as a comprehensive framework integrating , , and programs to enhance resident welfare and . This effort built on prior foundational projects, aiming to transform Valenzuela into a model of efficient local governance with emphasis on measurable improvements in livability metrics such as access to services and economic opportunities. Key policies included business-friendly measures like the Paspas Permit system, which expedited permit processing to as little as one day for certain applications and lowered compliance costs, attracting investments by reducing bureaucratic hurdles. These reforms contributed to Valenzuela earning the Philippine and Industry's "Most Business-Friendly City" award in the highly urbanized category in 2014, 2019, and 2020, with the city recognized as a four-time recipient overall during the period. The administration also advanced education via the Education 360° Investment Program, incorporating multifaceted support from to teacher training to elevate school performance beyond national baselines. During the outbreak, Gatchalian oversaw a proactive response featuring expanded mass testing—reaching 20,729 tests by August 30, 2020, toward a year-end target of 10% of the city's approximately 700,000 population—and localized aid distribution exceeding national allocations, including 112,000 relief packs from city funds versus 8,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These actions supported an estimated 638,414 residents through testing, facilities, and recovery aid, yielding a 92% public approval rating for the in a May 2020 survey amid the crisis. Valenzuela's case management showed containment efficacy comparable to or better than averages in early phases, though national resource delays prompted local supplementation.

Brief return to Congress (2022–2023)

In the May 9, 2022, Philippine general election, Rex Gatchalian secured re-election as representative for Valenzuela's 1st congressional district without opposition, garnering the necessary votes to return to the House of Representatives. This victory facilitated a seamless transition within his family, as his brother Wes Gatchalian assumed the mayoralty of Valenzuela, continuing the local leadership continuity established during Rex's prior terms. Gatchalian took his oath on July 25, 2022, at the opening of the 19th , where he participated in legislative proceedings for approximately seven months. Amid his limited time, he authored and co-authored bills addressing agricultural competitiveness extension and units' engagement in banking activities, reflecting priorities drawn from his municipal governance background. His congressional service concluded with resignation on February 6, 2023, upon confirmation of his cabinet appointment as Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, enabling a direct pivot to national implementation without procedural delays. This interim role underscored his emphasis on practical welfare measures, leveraging district-level insights for prospective reforms in poverty alleviation and program efficiency.

Tenure as DSWD Secretary (2023–present)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Rex Gatchalian as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on January 31, 2023, with confirmation by the on May 16, 2023. In this role, Gatchalian prioritized expanding programs targeting vulnerable populations, including the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), which provides financial assistance to near-poor households earning below the to mitigate inflation's effects and prevent regression into . The program, allocated P26.7 billion in 2024, reached nearly 5 million beneficiaries with a 99.31% fund utilization rate, delivering cash, medical, funeral, and food aid. For 2025, P26 billion was budgeted to target 5 million individuals, though implementation shifted to conditional guidelines amid critiques of potential dependency. Gatchalian's tenure emphasized empirical outcomes in poverty alleviation, aligning with the Marcos administration's goals of eradicating by 2027 and achieving single-digit incidence by 2028. Official data indicated a 15.5% rate in 2023, with expansions contributing to growth of 17.9% from 2022 to 2023 and job creation aiding reduction efforts. However, self-rated surveys reported an annual average of 57% in 2024, the highest in 21 years, highlighting perceptual gaps despite programmatic reach. Reforms under Gatchalian improved DSWD's , raising obligation rates from 39% in July 2023 through , beneficiary list cleanups, and private-sector-inspired streamlining to accelerate aid disbursement and counter bureaucratic delays. In disaster response, Gatchalian led rapid aid deployments, such as for Tropical Storm Ramil in October 2025, where DSWD distributed over 16,578 family food packs and cash assistance in , with Gatchalian personally assessing damage and coordinating with local units for swift recovery. Similar efforts extended to following Severe Tropical Storm Opong in September 2025, providing emergency cash transfers to affected workers and families, emphasizing immediate over historical multi-week delays in distribution. These actions drew praise for logistical speed but faced scrutiny over program politicization claims, which Gatchalian refuted by underscoring DSWD's sole implementation role and conditional elements in flagship initiatives like the (4Ps), which mandates health and education compliance to foster rather than perpetual aid. Stakeholder reception noted gains in fund utilization and targeting efficiency, though debates persisted on balancing short-term with long-term incentives to address dependency risks.

Controversies and criticisms

During his confirmation hearing before the on May 16, 2023, Senator questioned Department of Social Welfare and Development Rex Gatchalian regarding three pending cases against him, primarily stemming from his tenure as City. One such case involved allegations by Eriquetta Catayon, who claimed Gatchalian unlawfully interfered in the operations of a housing project by forcibly convening a general assembly and elections while directing members to withhold dues payments. Gatchalian responded that the matter remained at the fact-finding stage with the Office of the and did not constitute a formal ; he asserted the local government's intervention was necessary to address threats to public safety from "bullies or thugs" in the area, culminating in a memorandum of agreement with multiple agencies to form a council for the estate, which improved community conditions including access to water. He denied improper interference, framing the action as protective of residents' welfare rather than overreach. Separate labor-related complaints were filed in 2019 by the Alyansa ng Mamamayan sa Valenzuela against the Valenzuela city government, which Gatchalian described as politically motivated harassment intended to demoralize officials enforcing constituent protections. These aligned with broader opposition from groups challenging the Gatchalian family's political dominance in Valenzuela, though specific details on the other two pending cases from the 2023 hearing were not publicly elaborated beyond general labor concerns. As of October 2025, no convictions or adverse resolutions have been reported for these cases, contrasting with prior administrative challenges—such as those tied to the 2015 Kentex factory fire, which were dismissed by the Court of Appeals in 2017 and affirmed by the in 2021 for lack of . Gatchalian's compliance with Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth disclosures as a public official underscores ongoing transparency amid these filings.

Disputes over social aid programs

In 2024, the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), a DSWD cash assistance initiative providing up to ₱5,000 monthly to minimum wage earners and low-income families, faced scrutiny for alleged misuse as a political tool and "pork barrel" fund. Critics, including Senator Imee Marcos, linked AKAP distributions to signature campaigns for a people's initiative, prompting concerns over partisan targeting despite the program's ₱26 billion initial budget, later increased to ₱39 billion for 2025. Gatchalian refuted these claims, emphasizing that beneficiaries are vetted solely by DSWD social workers using objective criteria like income thresholds, excluding barangay officials or politicians from selection to ensure non-partisan delivery. He dismissed pork barrel comparisons, noting AKAP's focus on crisis-hit households rather than discretionary allocations, and highlighted data showing aid reached over 2 million beneficiaries without favoritism. Tensions arose in October 2024 between DSWD and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) over aid referral prioritization, with OVP spokesperson Stephen David asserting that DSWD had rejected multiple assistance requests from Vice President Sara Duterte, including for specific vulnerable groups, labeling Gatchalian's counterclaims as "inaccurate and misleading." Gatchalian maintained that DSWD accommodated all OVP referrals under programs like Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), attributing discrepancies to communication gaps rather than deliberate snubs, and offered evidence of processed requests via screenshots and logs. These exchanges underscored administrative frictions in coordinating rapid aid amid overlapping mandates, with Gatchalian prioritizing standardized protocols to prevent delays while defending against accusations of bureaucratic obstruction. Public incidents involving solo parents highlighted oversight demands in aid programs, as seen in April 2025 when Gatchalian condemned a congressional candidate's lewd joke targeting single mothers during a campaign event, vowing DSWD's role as a "watchdog" against abuse of vulnerable sectors. In response, he ordered a fact-finding probe and reiterated commitments to expedite inter-agency benefits for solo parents under the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, countering perceptions of lax protection amid criticisms that such programs enable misuse without deeper structural reforms. Left-leaning advocates, including progressive groups, argued AKAP and similar aids prioritize short-term cash over systemic alleviation, while supporters praised Gatchalian's defenses for enhancing Marcos administration efficiency in addressing metrics, with DSWD data showing reduced rates post-implementation.

Awards and recognitions

During his tenure as mayor of Valenzuela City from 2013 to 2022, Gatchalian's administration received multiple Galing Pook Awards from the Galing Pook Foundation, recognizing innovative local programs in areas such as , , , and public safety. In 2015, the city earned a Galing Pook Award for overall innovations and excellence in local . By 2021, Valenzuela secured recognition for three specific programs, contributing to its status as a four-time Galing Pook awardee, including for the Disiplina Village initiative aimed at informal settlers. These awards, selected through a peer-reviewed process evaluating replicable best practices, served as third-party validation of program efficacy, though the foundation's emphasis on participatory may favor certain administrative models. Valenzuela City under Gatchalian was repeatedly honored by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) as the Most Business-Friendly Highly Urbanized City, receiving the award in 2014 and 2019, among other years from 2014 to 2020, ultimately achieving Hall of Fame status for sustained performance. These recognitions, based on metrics like ease of doing , permit processing , and feedback, highlighted policies such as the integrated permit application , which streamlined bureaucratic processes. PCCI evaluations, drawn from business community surveys, provide empirical indicators of impacts, independent of government self-assessment. No formal third-party awards specifically tied to Gatchalian's DSWD tenure for were identified as of October 2025, despite commendations for aid delivery volumes, such as over 8 million food packs in 2024.

References

  1. https://www.rappler.com/people/p89189206-rex-gatchalian/
  2. https://predep-website.dswd.gov.ph/the-secretary/
  3. https://testing.valenzuela.gov.ph/district-1-former-congress-representative/
  4. https://old.dswd.gov.ph/sec-gatchalian-confirmed-by-ca/
  5. https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-chief-cites-selflessness-of-social-workers-in-times-of-disasters-lauds-new-asean-regional-guidance/
  6. https://web.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2025/1004_gatchalian1.asp
  7. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2062393/gatchalian-to-resign-as-dswd-chief-following-marcos-order
  8. https://peoplaid.com/2019/09/14/rex-gatchalian/
  9. https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/opinion/2023/02/10/2243834/appointing-multi-billionaires-government
  10. https://mkule.medium.com/the-roots-of-local-dynasties-entrenched-in-metro-manila-640462c8a75a
  11. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/gatachalian-kenneth-wes-valenzuela-candidacy-filing-october-6-2024/
  12. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/01/2241727/rex-gatchalian-named-new-dswd-secretary
  13. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1194063
  14. https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/5951703
  15. https://pcij.org/2022/03/18/top-ad-spenders-in-senate-race-belong-to-business-families/
  16. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/02/2241928/gatchalian-critics-give-me-chance
  17. https://www.philstar.com/metro/2004/05/21/250779/gatchalian-prevails-valenzuela
  18. https://legislativeagenda.weebly.com/valenzuela-1st-district--rep-rex-gatchalian.html
  19. https://ldr.senate.gov.ph/congress-author/gatchalian-rex
  20. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/ways-political-dynasties-able-stay-power/
  21. https://metronewscentral.net/valenzuela/city-at-a-glance/valenzuela-city-at-a-glance
  22. https://valenzuela.gov.ph/download/pdf/ECOLOGICAL_PROFILE_2021.pdf
  23. https://business.inquirer.net/283657/lgus-as-engines-of-growth
  24. http://www.bloggersphilippines.com/2019/11/paspas-permit-philippines-first.html
  25. https://coconuts.co/manila/news/valenzuela-city-hailed-most-business-friendly-city-ph/
  26. https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/08/valenzuela-city-wins-back-to-back-most-business-friendly-city-award-from-pcci/
  27. https://experiencevalenzuela.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/raising-the-bar-from-ordinary-to-extraordinary-the-valenzuela-citys-education-360-degrees-investment-program/
  28. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114152
  29. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/04/19/2008210/valenzuela-mayor-scores-doh-dswd-slow-pandemic-response
  30. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/chorus-funds-sustains-valenzuela-city-mass-testing-ways-lgus-manage-budget-covid-19-series-yearend-2020/
  31. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1274624/five-metro-mayors-lgus-cited-for-high-approval-rating-amid-covid-19-pandemic
  32. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/265071-everything-has-to-happen-now-coronavirus-response-valenzuela-city/
  33. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/05/12/22/rex-gatchalian-back-in-congress-after-running-unopposed
  34. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/valenzuela-city-mayor-results-2022/
  35. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1725937/fwd-newly-appointed-dswd-chief-gatchalian-officially-resigns-as-house-member
  36. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1201613
  37. https://old.dswd.gov.ph/akap-aims-to-help-near-poor-pinoys-from-slipping-back-to-poverty/
  38. https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/2/near-5-million-near-poor-filipinos-benefit
  39. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2047672/dswd-refocuses-akap-to-aid-those-earning-below-minimum-wage
  40. https://old.dswd.gov.ph/pbbms-vision-to-eradicate-hunger-attain-single-digit-poverty-incidence-right-on-track-dswd-chief/
  41. https://depdev.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PDR2024.pdf
  42. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/1/8/more-filipinos-poor-as-self-rated-poverty-hits-highest-level-in-21-years-sws-1629
  43. https://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1231861
  44. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/gatchalian-focus-ease-social-welfare-dswd-secretary/
  45. https://tribune.net.ph/2025/10/21/dswd-chief-assures-all-out-aid-for-ts-ramil-hit-capize%25C3%25B1os-2
  46. https://pageone.ph/dswd-chief-leads-capiz-relief-efforts-ramil-victims-to-get-cash-aid/
  47. https://tribune.net.ph/2025/09/28/dswd-help-reaches-masbate
  48. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1261418
  49. https://www.facebook.com/ANCalerts/videos/is-the-philippines-becoming-an-ayuda-nation/1491309084873506/
  50. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2018851/dswd-chief-defends-akap-it-is-not-a-pork-barrel
  51. https://manilastandard.net/news/314536124/gatchalian-says-dswd-is-sole-implementer-of-akap.html
  52. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1769697/complaints-vs-gatchalian-raised-at-ca-panel-hearing
  53. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/614133/sandiganbayan-affirms-dismissal-of-charges-vs-rex-gatchalian-over-kentex-fire/story/
  54. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/06/23/21/sc-affirms-junking-of-raps-vs-valenzuela-mayor-over-deadly-2015-kentex-fire
  55. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/content/897460/dswd-s-gatchalian-defends-akap-amid-alleged-link-to-people-s-initiative/story/
  56. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/explainers/what-makes-dswd-ayuda-program-controversial/
  57. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1240634
  58. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/12/28/2410289/dswd-says-ayuda-program-not-pork-barrel
  59. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1238560
  60. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/10/15/2392736/ovp-insists-dswd-turned-down-aid-requests-calls-gatchalians-statement-misleading
  61. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1992788/fwd-ovp-maintains-claims-that-dswd-ignored-some-of-its-referrals
  62. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/14/dswd-ovp-exec-clueless-about-duterte-s-claim-of-rejected-referrals-1539
  63. https://unitednews.net.ph/en/article.php?post=65969
  64. https://www.ovp.gov.ph/post/statement-comment-dswd-secretary-rex-gatchalian
  65. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/5/dswd-vows-to-help-solo-parents-offended-by-pasig-house-bet-s-joke-file-raps-1724
  66. https://www.inquirer.net/435020/not-funny-dswd-slams-pasig-district-bet-for-lewd-jokes-vs-single-moms/
  67. https://staging-dswd-revamp.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-to-be-watchdog-of-abuse-vs-poor-vulnerable-sectors-sec-gatchalian/
  68. https://old.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-wants-inter-agency-committee-to-expedite-benefits-to-solo-parents/
  69. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/14/lawmaker-defends-akap-funds-stresses-aid-to-lower-income-filipinos-1218
  70. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/10/22/2135784/valenzuela-sweeps-galing-pook-awards
  71. https://valenzuela.gov.ph/achievements/
  72. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10156939705803378&type=3
  73. https://m.facebook.com/REXGatchalianValenzuelaCity/photos/valenzuelas-2nd-award-as-most-business-friendly-cityfor-the-second-time-valenzue/381966905292688/
  74. https://valenzuela.gov.ph/valenzuelaworks/?page=paspaspermit
  75. https://www.scribd.com/document/677379802/Ecological-Profile-2021
  76. https://old.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-chief-eyes-better-disaster-response-in-2025-amid-record-breaking-8m-food-packs-delivered-in-2024/
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