Engr. Nerie D. Bueno, the newly designated Officer-In-Charge Director of DPWH Region II formally assumed her new assignment after a simple turn-over ceremony held on September 18, 2014 at the DPWH Regional Conference Hall.
Director Bueno succeeded Director Melvin B. Navarro who was reassigned at DPWH Region V in Legaspi City, Albay.
Regional employees and officials warmly welcomed the Engr. Bueno, first ever lady Regional Director upon arrival in the regional office where a simple program that includes a thanksgiving mass was held.
In his message, Assistant Regional Director Alexander D. Nola thanked Engr. Navarro whom he wittily described as his housemate and buddy.
“Thank you so much Sir Melvin, you will always be remembered for your achievements and innovations here in Region 02” he said. ARD Nola conveyed his words of welcome to Director Bueno saying, “We are delighted to welcome Director Nerie Bueno to Region 02.
“Your credentials, leadership, expertise and background in engineering and project operations are tremendous assets in leading our office to progress. Madame, in behalf of the DPWH Region 2 family, we want to assure you of our full support and cooperation for your administration”, Nola added.
Highlight of the occasion is the changing of the guard where Director Navarro turn-over the DPWH Region 2 flag as a sign of relinquishing the management responsibility to Director Bueno.
In her acceptance speech, Director Bueno emphasized that goodbyes are painful, but sometimes moving on with the new chapter of our life starts with saying goodbye.
She underscored the practice of professionalism and excellence in the commitment for transparency and accountability in public service. The charismatic Director stressed the importance of working together and supporting each other in reaching the goals of the department.
Director Bueno has an extensive and impressive record of experience that started in the Ministry of Public Works and Highways Regional IV-B as Civil Engineering Aide. Eight months later, she transferred to the Quezon City District Engineering Office until June 1984.
On November 5, 1984, she assumed the position of Civil Engineer in the City Engineer’s Office in Baguio City.
Her trailblazing towards the leadership in DPWH-CAR started on July 17, 1989 when Engr. Bueno returned to the Department of Public Works and Highways at the Baguio City District Engineering Office as a permanent employee with a position of Engineer II. Five years later, she was promoted as Engineer III.
While heading the Construction Section of the District Office, she passed her Career Service Executive Examination on November 29, 2001.
On March 22, 2003, Engr. Bueno made the leap to become the first female civil engineer of DPWH-CAR who was appointed as Assistant District Engineer. However, the exceptional feat did not wait too long for another turn as she was sworn in as District Engineer on December 10, 2003, barely nine months after she assumed the Assistant District Engineer position in March.
Her hard work and outstanding performance in Baguio City DEO gained the attention of the top executives of the Department as she was assigned to the Regional Office to assume the OIC Assistant Regional Director position on January 29, 2009 and eventually to become a full-fledged Assistant Regional Director on April 8, 2009. She obtained her Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) IV ranking on May 10, 2012.
She graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1983 at the University of Sto. Tomas and earned her Master’s in Public Administration degree in 1999 at the Baguio Central University.
While engineering and project accomplishment are priorities for the new Director, she has shown a more subtle and simple persona with array of talents and interests in volleyball, gardening, cooking and travel. According to her, she describes herself as a home buddy and seeks to spend more time with family despite the demands of a busy schedule.
Director Bueno was born on May 26, 1962 in Bulacan to Francisco and Leonila Domingo. She is married to businessman, Rey Bueno and a loving mother to Bernard Euclid, Maria Franchesca and Dun Vincent.