Rommel V. Fuerte is the National Director of World Vision Development Foundation, Inc., the Philippines’ largest child-focused humanitarian organization. His experiences in relief, development, advocacy, academe, consultancy and business span 20 years.
At World Vision, he began his career as a Community Development Worker in the Philippines, in the provinces of Capiz, Surigaodel Sur and Agusan del Norte. He was Program Facilitator and Regional Coordinator in Caraga Region in the northeastern section of the island of Mindanao. Also, he was Training Officer for a highly successful tuberculosis treatment and prevention project called “KusogBaga” covering 11 provinces and more than 10 cities nationwide. He rose from the ranks and held key positions such as Director for Operations and Director for Strategy Management.
For his contribution to World Vision’s work and other stints globally, he served as Strategy Specialist for Asia Pacific based in Bangkok, Thailand covering 16 country offices, and became an Independent Consultant for profit and non-profit organizations and special assignments for emergency responses in Indonesia, Iraq and other countries.
Under his leadership as National Director in the Philippines, World Vision was able to serve more than 1 million Filipino children every year through its relief, development and advocacy programs, with the help and engagement of thousands of sponsors and donors locally.
In 2018, he was recognized as the country’s most outstanding social worker in the humanitarian sector by the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc., where he is a lifetime member. He is also an Institutional Awardee of the University of Mindanao.
Mr. Fuerte holds the following positions: Board Chair of Community Economic Ventures, Inc., Member of the Board of the Philippine Children’s Ministry Network; and Convener of the Philippine Coalition of Advocates for Nutrition Security, Inc.
In July 2020, Mr. Fuerte was appointed by the Philippine President as member of the Board representing the private sector in the Council for the Welfare of Children under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Mr. Fuerte is a Registered Social Worker. He finished his Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Mindanao and pursued his Master of Business Administration in the Eastern University’s School of International Leadership Development, Pennsylvania, USA.
“World Vision’s community programs aim to amplify the voices of children in the Philippines as we promote and protect their rights. We will continue to work together with the CWC and DSWD to uphold the rights of every Filipino child,” said Fuerte who commits to represent like-minded individuals and groups from the private sector concerned for children.
“World Vision is deeply concerned that the impacts of COVID-19 could permanently scar the development of a generation of the world’s most vulnerable children. Since 1990, the number of children dying from preventable causes such as poverty, hunger, and disease has more than halved.
World Vision Executive Director Rommel Fuerte highlighted the importance of multi-sectoral response to address violence against children during a prayer event for children held at World Vision Chapel. “Violence, physical or sexual, no matter what the form, is stealing the brighter future for every child. It takes away their dignity, their human rights, and their God-given protections”, said Fuerte.
“It is possible for every child to be protected, reach her or his full potential and experience life in all its fullness. The work is far from over but by working together, ending violence against children is possible,” said Executive Director Rommel Fuerte.
