A multi-talented lady executive of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has taken over as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the agency that regulates the country’s multi-million-peso tobacco industry.

Cristina Lopez, NTA administrative department manager and concurrently OIC-Deputy Administrator for Support Services, took over from NTA Administrator Carlitos Encarnacion who gave way after serving as NTA head since 2001.

A presidential appointee, Encarnacion was among the first government officials to turn over their positions following the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 1 of the new Aquino administration.

The circular mandates Presidential Appointees of the previous administration as deemed separated as of June 30 when President Aquino assumed office.

As most senior and next-in-rank NTA official (to Encarnacion), Lopez had served in various capacities in the government starting at age 22 where her talents were honed and applied, records showed.

An accounting graduate of St. Paul College Manila and a Masters Degree in Business Administration holder, Lopez began her government service in 1977 as a budget division chief of the then Ministry of Agrarian Reform where she rose to become Financial Controller five years later.

She also became Planning and Programming chief of the Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration (PVTA), NTA’s predecessor agency, before joining NTA.

Lopez was later awarded as most outstanding employee and most outstanding supervisor.

At the NTA, Lopez was appointed manager of the Administrative Department in 1989 and designated in concurrent capacity as OIC of the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Support Services two years ago.

She finished the academic requirements for a doctorate in Business Administration at the San Beda College where she also teaches management and finance subjects after office work.