The President of the Principado de Asturias, Adrián Barbón, announced on 28 August 2026 the resignation of Marta del Arco as head of the Consejería de Derechos Sociales y Bienestar . The government cited health problems as the reason; del Arco had been on sick leave since 5 June 2026 . In the meantime, the Consejera de Salud, Concepción Saavedra, had also been carrying out the duties of the post.
Barbón appointed as her successor the outgoing head of the autonomous body Establecimientos Residenciales de Personas Mayores (ERA), Nerea Monroy. According to the government, she will take office next Monday, 31 August 2026, and will then attend the weekly meeting of the Consejo de Gobierno . The change is intended to ensure continuity in administrative work across care, long-term support and social services.
Marta del Arco had led the department since the start of the current legislative term and had previously been responsible, among other things, for child protection policy in Asturias. Barbón praised her work and thanked her for her service in the region’s social policy. No change in the direction of the Consejería de Derechos Sociales y Bienestar was announced in connection with the personnel change.
As head of ERA, Nerea Monroy oversaw the region-wide public residential and care facilities for older people. The organisation is an Organismo Autónomo of the Principado de Asturias and is responsible for residential care and coordination with municipal and regional services. The government cites Monroy’s administrative experience as the basis for a smooth transition in the department.
The department’s responsibilities include organising care infrastructure, providing services to promote the autonomy of older people and those requiring care, and processing dependency applications. During the transition period since Marta del Arco went on sick leave, priority day-to-day decisions were handled by the acting head.
The personnel change was announced through the regional government’s official channels and promptly reported by regional media. The reasons for the resignation and the date she would take office were confirmed. Further details of forthcoming decisions on social services are expected after the formal handover.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).