Leadership turnover marks new chapter in labor and employment services in Eastern Visayas
TACLOBAN CITY β The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office VIII (DOLE-8) formally welcomed Director Imelda E. Romanillos as its new Regional Director during a leadership turnover ceremony held on October 2, 2026, at Hotel Lorenza, Tacloban City.
The transition was formally marked by the turnover of leadership from OIC-Regional Director Atty. Joan N. Noya-Nidua to Romanillos, who brings nearly four decades of experience in public service with the Department of Labor and Employment.
Romanillos began her career with DOLE in 1989 as Clerk III at DOLE Bicol and steadily rose through the ranks. She was appointed Assistant Regional Director in 2022, served as OIC-Regional Director of DOLE-CAR in 2024, and formally assumed the position of Regional Director in January 2025. Prior to her assignment to Eastern Visayas, she served as Regional Director of DOLE Region II.
With her extensive experience in labor and employment administration, Romanillos now takes on the leadership of DOLE-8, overseeing the Department’s programs and services for workers, employers and other stakeholders across Eastern Visayas.
Commitment to Client-Centered Public Service
In her message during the turnover ceremony, Romanillos expressed her appreciation to the DOLE-8 family for the warm welcome and conveyed her commitment to providing responsive and meaningful public service.
She emphasised the importance of creating tangible and positive results for the people served by the Department.
βLet’s create impact to the lives of the clients we serve.β
Romanillos also underscored the honor and responsibility associated with public service, citing former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:
βThere is no greater challenge and there is no greater honor than to be in public service.β
Her message highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong commitment to service while ensuring that DOLE programs and interventions remain responsive to the needs of workers, jobseekers, employers and communities.
Noya-Nidua Begins New Chapter of Service
Meanwhile, Atty. Noya-Nidua expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the DOLE-8 family for the support, cooperation and trust extended to her during her tenure as OIC-Regional Director.
Her leadership of DOLE-8 now comes to a close as she moves to her next assignment with DOLE Bicol, where she will serve as Assistant Regional Director.
Noya-Nidua brings her experience and commitment to her new post as she begins another chapter of public service within the Department.
DOLE-8 Leadership Transition
The leadership turnover was witnessed by members of the DOLE Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), DOLE-8 officials and employees.
The ceremony marked not only the formal transition of leadership but also the continuing commitment of DOLE-8 to uphold effective, responsive and client-centered labor and employment services in Eastern Visayas.
As Romanillos assumes her new role, DOLE-8 enters another chapter of service anchored on the Department’s continuing mandate to protect workers, promote employment opportunities, support employers and contribute to inclusive and sustainable development in the region.
The leadership transition underscores the continuity of public service while welcoming new leadership, experience and perspectives to further strengthen DOLE’s programs and services for the people of Eastern Visayas. END #EVCHub8
