FOR THE first time, I am writing a column that calls out a regional director in both the Negros Island Region (NIR) and Western Visayas (WV).
And that person is Crisanta Marlen Rodriguez — known to many as RD Krisma of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
To be clear, I don’t personally know her. But from what little I’ve gathered, she succeeded Christine Manasares, a native of Sagay City, Negros Occidental. I knew Christine, as well as her predecessors — Atty. Helen Camarista and Sir Edwin Trompeta. They were all media-savvy, approachable, and well-liked.
Back to RD Krisma: One thing is certain — she is a recommendee of President Bongbong Marcos. She hails from Davao and, I’m told, has an impressive background in environmental and farm tourism.
Her qualifications? No question.
Four Layers of EAs
Here’s the issue: At the height of public concern over the glanders outbreak in Siquijor, RD Krisma was simply unreachable.
To get a statement, the media must go through four layers of executive assistants (EAs), each tasked to screen your purpose, your questions, and everything in between. Fine. Protocol is protocol.
So I followed the process. I submitted basic questions about the glanders disease and how it could affect tourism in Siquijor — a simple inquiry, really.
But alas, as of this writing, neither her EAs nor RD Krisma has responded to my queries.
Worth noting: RD Krisma also serves as the acting regional director of the Department of Tourism-NIR.
Accountability
As the face of tourism in the region, RD Krisma should, in fact, be among the most media-savvy RDs out there.
In contrast, hats off to other NIR regional directors — Albert Barrogo of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Lucresia Sumayo of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Dr. Nikka Hao of the Department of Health (DOH), Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and even Brigadier General Thomas Arnold Ibay of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Over in Western Visayas, I salute RDs Remia Aparri of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Brigadier General Jack Wanky of the Police Regional Office 6, Sanny Boy Oropel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Atty. Shiela Enciso of DAR, among others.
These directors are responsive. They understand the value of media. They pick up their phones and answer questions directly — no layers, no gatekeepers.
In contrast, RD Krisma, sources say, is “super strict” with media access. Why so?
Yet ironically, I’ve seen her not once, not twice judging beauty pageants in Negros.
Not an Absolute Requirement, But…
Yes, I’m aware that facing the media or granting interviews isn’t an absolute requirement for government employees, including regional directors. I understand the limits.
But generally, in the Philippines, public officials — especially those in high-ranking positions — are expected to be accessible to the media and transparent with the public.
In a nutshell, RD Krisma must remember that her salary is paid by the people. She is accountable to the public. She must be ready to explain what the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas and NIR is doing to address the glanders (or melioidosis) scare in Siquijor.
All the media needs is information — basic facts, context, reactions. But if she continues to be unreachable, perhaps it’s better for her to return to Davao.
If she plans to stay in either NIR or Western Visayas, she must always keep this line in mind: “Manners maketh a man.”/PN
