The Cagayan Provincial Council, through a regular session held on July 18, 2023 at the Sanggunian Panlalawigan Session Hall, gave a formal recognition to the new heads of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) – Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile and Deputy Administrator Perla Tumaliuan.

Spearheaded by Vice Governor Melvin Vargas, Jr., the Session became a platform for the Cagayan Provincial Council to also convey their support to the newly-appointed CEZA key officials, who have “fought and lost but found their way in another path.” Both Sec. Enrile and DA Tumaliuan were candidates for Governorship and Vice Governorship in the 2022 Elections.

In her speech during the said Session, Sec. Enrile expressed her appreciation to the Council and to DA Tumaliuan, and committed to honor the Cagayanos with service and righteousness. She also committed that the CEZA jurisdiction may be just at the northeastern tip of Cagayan but the developments in this area will help the whole Cagayanos. Moreover, she urged everyone to be CEZA ambassadors by bringing in investors that could surely benefit generations of Cagayanos.

On a side interview, DA Tumaliuan also expressed her gratitude to the Council, whom she acknowledges as her extended family.  Before her stint with CEZA, DA Tumaliuan was one of the most active board members of Cagayan Province. She noted that she has not left public service as she remains committed to CEZA and the Cagayanos. She added that she would continue to pursue her commitment to become an avenue for change and development in Cagayan through CEZA.

The new CEZA leadership acknowledges the importance of collaboration in the success of its endeavors. This is consistent to the essence of good governance that promotes effective partnerships of institutions and networks to achieve common objectives. #SaCEZAKabahagiKa

Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile and DA Perla Tumaliuan are interviewed by the media after the recognition ceremony of the Cagayan Provincial Council.

Representatives from the media pose for a group photo with CEZA Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile (7th from the left), CEZA Deputy Administrator Perla Tumaliuan (8th from the left), Tuguegarao City Mayor Maila Ting-Que (2nd from the right) and former 3rd District of Cagayan Representative Randolph Ting (1st from the right) after a press conference.