Manila (22 October) -- Secretary for New Government Centers Victor Domingo took his oath as the acting secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways today, October 22, in lieu of former Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane who resigned to run in the 2010 Presidential elections.

This was gathered through a phone patch interview with Secretary Domingo who said he had no inkling that he will be appointed as the acting DPWH chief until this morning.

He said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called him up about three days ago for him to call up her appointments secretary. When he asked what will he tell the appointments, he was told that it is the appointments secretary who will tell him something.

Secretary Domingo said that he was with the President during her visit to Leyte on Tuesday but the President did not mention anything about the new assignment.

Secretary Domingo's designation came following the resignation of former DPWH chief Hermogenes Ebdane who is bent on pursuing a political career.

Secretary Domingo said that he will report at the DPWH on Monday, October 26, the start of a stressful but hopefully fruitful work towards the remaining days left for the Arroyo Administration.

He said he humbly accepted the offer of the President who was his colleague at the Department of Trade and Industry during the Aquino Administration. He said he will work doubly hard, even if this will mean giving up his hobbies, golf and poker.

Secretary Domingo said he will prioritize the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructures like roads and bridges as a result of the onslaught of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.