< Back SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY A PUBLIC SERVANT FOR ALL SEASONS SBMA Senior Deputy Ambassador Ramon Agregado talks about leadership lessons he has learned and wish to pass on to the new breed of public servants BY MARTIN SARMENTA A leader’s life is filled with changes and challenges. But despite all these tests and shifting seasons, how can a leader remain focused on serving and supporting the people? Ramon Agregado, Senior Deputy Administrator for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), has not only weathered the storms that confront leaders. In fact, he has used these trials as growth opportunities to help serve others even more. BUILDING ON CURRENT STRENGTH Before joining SBMA, Agregado already had a thriving private practice in Makati, taking on litigation work involving civil, criminal, labor, and corporate cases. In 2005, however, he was recruited by then SBMA Administrator, Armand Arreza, to head its Support Services Group which included the Legal, Administration, and Finance departments. He was hesitant at first due to his lack of finance experience. Yet Agregado took on the challenge, learning the ropes and persevering until he not only proved that he was equal to the task, but how he actually surpassed all expectations. The sterling results of his efforts are much appreciated by the SBMA community, who are grateful for his accomplishments. This inspires Agregado to persevere with government work, even if at first, he thought he would not last. He shares, “You actually see how your work affects the community.” MERGING DIFFERENT STYLES Judging from his lengthy stint in government, Agregado is doing well, indeed. He has served under two presidents (Macapagal- Arroyo and Aquino from 2005 to 2016) and is currently serving under the Duterte administration. Likewise, he has worked with former SBMA Chairmen and Administrators—Chairman Feliciano Salonga and Administrator Armand Arreza (2005-2011), Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia (2011- 2016), Chairman Martin Diño (2016-2017) and OICAdministrator Randy Escolango (2016)—and is now working with Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma. Agregado remarks that he did not only learn from his bosses, but used these lessons to make him a better leader himself. From Chairman Feliciano Salonga, who was educated at Kings Point, the United States Merchant Marine Academy in New York and served in the Navy, he saw the maritime potential of Subic Bay. Salonga was “very cool and practical.” Thus, Agregado learned to face problems head on. “He wanted things given to him straight, no sugar coating,” Agregado recalls. Then there was Administrator Armand Arreza, who was a finance expert educated at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. From him, Agregado learned the financial strategies and aspects of running an operation. And since Arreza was also a former Undersecretary of Tourism under then Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, Agregado also learned not just the potential of the tourism industry, but its complexities as well. Click here to read full article for free

< Back THE SERBISYONG MALIKSI LEGACY BY FRAULEIN OLAVARIO PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL SORIANO Imus City Mayor Maliksi caps off his illustrious two-decade-long political career with a legacy of service and excellence. As Emmanuel Maliksi faces the curtain call of his term as mayor of the City of Imus, he leaves the seat with nothing short of pride. After devoting over two decades to public service beginning in 2001, he peacefully recollects about his servant leadership with the conviction that he is leaving a legacy worth remembering. “Handang-handa naman tayong [umalis sa puwesto] at masaya tayong nabigyan tayo ng pagkakataong makapagserbisyo. At noong nagserbisyo tayo, hindi naman tayo nagpabandying-bandying lang (I’m ready to leave my post and I’m glad that I was given the opportunity to serve. And as we served, we didn’t lollygag),” Maliksi says. TRANSFORMING IMUS At the onset of his first term as mayor in July 2007, Maliksi, through his seven-point agenda, immediately responded to his constituents’ needs by transforming Imus into one of the most progressive municipalities in the province of Cavite. His comprehensive plan focused on job generation; livelihood generation; peace and order; education and health; culture and tourism; environment; and strengthening of ties between local government units (LGUs) and various non-government organizations (NGOs) for the betterment of Imuseños. The richness of the cultural heritage of Imus— the site of two major Katipunan victories during the Philippine revolution against Spain—was not lost on Maliksi, who worked for the designation of Imus as the Flag Capital of the Philippines. He started the celebration of the Wagayway Festival on May 28, 2008 to commemorate the very first unfurling of the Philippine flag after the Philippine Revolutionary Army defeated the Spanish forces in the Battle of Alapan in Imus in 1898. Maliksi’s various advocacies and programs led to the transformation of the municipality into a city in 2012. Numerous awards and citations serve as testaments to Maliksi’s slogan, Epektibong Lingkod Mamamayan (ELM). These include being inducted into the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award Hall of Fame by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the 2017 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance by the Council for the Welfare of Children, and the 2017 Philippine Quality Challenge Award by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Aside from being an exemplary public servant, he was also awarded Tanyag na Ulirang Ama by the Ulirang Ama Foundation in 2018. Imus clinched 2nd place in Gawad Kalasag in CALABARZON by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) on January 14, 2016, as well as the National Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Silver Award on December 29, 2018, and Good Financial Housekeeping from 2016 up to 2021. Dubbed as the City of the Future, Imus was also recognized as the Most Competitive Component City in the Province of Cavite in 2016, and 3rd Most Economically Dynamic Component City in the Philippines on the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) in 2018. Moreover, the city was also recognized as an Oustanding Local Government Unit by Meralco on March 9, 2017. “We’re one of the most awarded cities, not just in our province, but in the entire region. That’s in all aspects of public governance,” Maliksi remarks. “And they wouldn’t give us commendations and awards if we don’t have any good programs to show for such, right? If we were just given an award once, you could probably say it’s just by chance. But winning various awards in consecutive years, that’s something else,” he adds. THROUGH UNITY AND COOPERATION Maliksi commends a particular group for their help in making sure he succeeds as the city’s top leader. “Of course, our barangay officials contributed a lot to this success because our programs were functional all the way down to the lowest levels. You could see that they imbibed the culture of service and excellence that we promote; you could see that they really follow our lead,” he stresses. The multi-sectoral cooperation Maliksi’s administration enjoyed is actually a result of his brand of governance that puts a premium on people empowerment. He sees this as the centerpiece of his governance, emboldening the communities and various sectors— especially the minorities—in voicing their opinions. This, in turn, makes governance smoother as the people become active participants throughout the course of their programs and policies. Not involving the various communities, he says, is the problem of many LGUs, including the national government. He laments that national agencies often cascade programs down to the LGUs without even knowing the reality on the ground. The difference, he stresses, is when leaders empower the people, they are able to hear the real problems plaguing the communities which therefore helps determine how the government is run. To help boost the performance of Imus’ 97 barangays, Maliksi introduced the criteria and guidelines for the Barangay SGLG award, which recognizes the best-performing barangays around the country. “It’s like a report card that they need to follow. They don’t have to think of programs, they just need to align their barangay programs with that of the city and national governments. And we could see clearly then where they need help. We could also see which barangays are struggling and which are excelling. Those that excel could win regional and provincial awards, right? They just need the right support and to be given focus,” Maliksi says. RESPONDING TO COVID-19 Just as the entire nation was plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic, his administration had to maneuver not only to fight the virus but also to continue the effective, efficient, and appropriate delivery of public goods and services. “It was such a huge adjustment because almost all of our programs which were good to go had to be modified. But, in hindsight, the situation revealed which leaders are truly great in times of crisis, right? And Imus was one of the cities that handled the crisis well right from the onset,” Maliksi shares. In fact, the City of Imus was the first city in the country to implement the drive-through vaccination program in Robinsons Imus through the initiative of Mayor Maliksi. Among the city’s programs on COVID-19 are the establishment of the City of Imus’ Molecular Laboratory, the second LGUoperated COVID-19 testing facility in the country following Marikina City, and the first in the province of Cavite; 24/7 emergency hotlines for citizens with COVID-19 symptoms; the City of Imus field hospital at the Ospital ng Imus—another first in Cavite—comprising two isolation tents with a 10-bed capacity for Persons Under Investigation (PUIs); staging areas in each cluster for the proper handling of PUIs and providing the necessary medical response to every patient; and testing booths for frontliners, PUIs and the most vulnerable sectors of the community. Maliksi reveals that they were able to immediately establish an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). They treated the COVID-19 pandemic as a disaster through their whole-of-city approach, mobilizing their Incident Command Center (ICC), Barangay Health and Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), disaster office, city health office, and more. This, he says, helped safekeep the health and safety of the barangay officials since the people did not all rush to barangay centers. To cap off his final term, Maliksi saw through the implementation of his eight-point agenda, featuring his legacy projects centered on modern, green, and sustainable programs, including wellness centers and subsidies for senior citizens; organic urban farming; e-vehicles for teachers; new government center and Ospital ng Imus; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by the City of Imus AntiDrug Abuse Council (CIADAC) for drug surrenderees; Eskwela Kooperatiba (EK), gaining for Imus the recognition as the Lab Coop Capital of the Philippines by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA); and the Green Schools Program, a greening concept that promotes environmental protection through installation of solar panels, rainwater harvesters, sewage treatment plants, provision of e-vehicles for all public schools in the city, and government housing that is yet to be implemented. The mayor reveals that the last initiative would also help the children of Imus appreciate the value of renewable energy and the importance of taking care of the environment. Especially with the solar panels, since students were not going to class physically, the schools were also not gaining much income. But with the panels, their bills were also lessened. In fact, Maliksi reveals that they received a commendation from Meralco. Since the city is operating in a grid-tie set up, the excess electricity generated by the solar panels were then funelled to the grid, helping other houses get electricity. These and all the city’s environmental initiatives harvested an Environmental Compliance Audit Platinum Award from 2018 to 2021. LOOKING BACK Several decades back, Maliksi shunned the idea of entering politics and following the footsteps of his father, the late former Cavite Governor Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi. He clearly saw how devoting oneself to public service entails sacrifices. “Habang lumalaki ako nakita ko ‘yung father ko na parang sobrang busy. There came a point na para lamang makasama namin siya, kailangan yata kami mag-schedule pa. Kaya parang ayoko ng ganoon para sa sarili ko (I grew up seeing how busy my father got. There came a point where, in order to spend some time with him, we had to set a schedule. I thought then that it’s not something I want for myself),” he says. “My father at that time also was against the idea [of me entering politics]. So when he was about to end his term as municipal mayor of Imus and run for Congress, he bucked suggestions for me to run as vice mayor. I only realized the wisdom in his decision when I was already in politics myself and I realized that it really is not easy. The life of a politician is really difficult,” he adds. After taking up BS Psychology at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman with the intent of becoming a doctor, Maliksi had a change of heart after his involvement in the Alpha Phi Beta fraternity, and his exposure and active participation in various civil society, public, and socio-civic organizations, such as the Rotary Club, Imus Business Club, Safety Organizations of the Philippines, Inc., and Amnesty International. He completed his master’s degree in Public Administration before embarking on what would be a long political career in 2001. To this day, it is his father’s advice that serves as his guiding principle in fulfilling his duties as a servant to the people. “Lagi niya ‘kong sinasabihan tungkol doon sa prinsipyo na dapat talaga ‘yung totoong pagseserbisyo, may puso ka sa pagtulong at pagseserbisyo sa tao (He would always tell me about the principle that true service is only possible if you have the heart for genuinely helping others),” Maliksi fondly recalls. He further laments that it seems this is often forgotten now by politicians who often enter politics not to help others but to further their personal interests. While Buklod Filipino Partylist, of which he was the first nominee, did not make it to the winning circle in the recently concluded 2022 elections, he can still proudly look back on his 21 years in the office knowing that he has effectively sealed his legacy of service and excellence—the foundation he hopes the next administration would build on. “Depende syempre sa susunod ‘yan kung ipagpapatuloy. Sana maipagpatuloy. Sana mahigitan pa nila ‘yung mga nagawa natin, ‘di ba? Kasi nagawa na natin, na-prepare na natin yung base. Patuloy na lang dapat, pataas nang pataas na (It would depend on the next mayor if they’ll continue it. But I hope they do. I hope they even surpass what we’ve achieved, right? Because we already laid down the foundation. It should be continued from here, just make things better and better).” IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY There seems to be no specific course or training to undergo if you want to be a public servant. Although knowledge and skills are already given to make one’s service outstanding, it also serves as a big advantage when surrounded by those who already have experience in serving and leading the people. Even before being officially part of the local government unit (LGU), Maliksi was already accustomed to his father’s public service work. So when it was Maliksi’s turn to lead the city, adjusting was not much of a challenge for him. Aside from him learning the strategies of excellent service, his father who was also a former mayor of Imus taught him the unspoken rule of politics, “Kami nga, ayaw ng father ko na mai-involve ka sa, for example, ‘yung family, laging nandoon sa city hall, nakikialam [sa opisyal na trabaho]. Never kaming pinalaki nang ganoon, (My father didn’t want us to always be seen at the city hall, meddling [in official work]; we were taught not to act that way).” Maliksi shares that although he was closely involved in his father’s political activities, he made sure that he was hands-off when it came to actually doing the work of the mayor. He specifies that his involvement was limited to sociocivic organizations, public organizations, and civil society organizations. “Kaya pati si misis, si Jelyn, alam niya na, hindi siya pumupunta sa City Hall. Pumupunta siya pag may mga occassions kasi dapat kasama ko talaga siya. Pero ‘yung talagang nakikialam, hindi niya ginawa ‘yun. (Even my wife knows that she should not be in the municipal hall everytime except when there are occassions, they have to be here of course but she doesn’t involve herself in decision-making).” Maliksi supports this learning with an explanation that while relatives are there to support, they should not be the ones doing the task of the mayor, deciding on how the city should be governed. It is this distinct kind of leadership that has earned him the Exemplary Award for Public Service given by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) on April 28, 2019.

< Back Empowering Filipinos for a Secure Digital Future BY RAGIE MAE TAÑO-ARELLANO AS WE BECOME MORE AND MORE DEPENDENT ON DIGITAL TOOLS, SO DO WE BECOME MORE EXPOSED TO DANGERS TO OUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING SECURITY BREACHES, CYBERATTACKS, AND PRIVACY VIOLATIONS. NATIONAL PRIVACY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN JOHN HENRY D. NAGA IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF EFFORTS TO PROTECT FILIPINOS IN THIS DIGITAL AGE BY ADVOCATING FOR STRONGER POLICIES, INNOVATIVE FRAMEWORKS, AND WIDESPREAD AWARENESS OF DIGITAL PRIVACY. National Privacy Commission (NPC) Chairman John Henry D. Naga joined the agency as one of the deputy privacy commissioners in 2019. His appointment came at a challenging time, as the pandemic, which reshaped the landscape of data privacy. COVID-19 brought not only a rapid digital evolution but security concerns as well. This unusual time was also an opportunity for development and growth for Naga. It deepened his commitment to taking on the responsibility of protecting every Filipino's data privacy. A JOURNEY ROOTED IN PUBLIC SERVICE Naga’s journey in public service began long before he entered NPC. He started as a provincial board member in Masbate, serving for two terms from 2007-2013. Though he did not dream of following in his parents’ footsteps as public servants, for he wanted to create his own, the path he was taking was still in this direction. His experience as a board member strengthened his passion to serve. “I realized that being an agent of change and helping our kababayans (countrymen) is something I truly cared about,” he says, adding that this feeling grew stronger as he continued to work for the people’s welfare. After serving as a provincial official, Naga was appointed as an assistant secretary of the then-newly established Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in 2016, his first ever position in the national government. He explains that although he was already committed to pursuing a career in public service, his appointment to DICT was unexpected. He is prouder because he was one of the DICT officials who played a pivotal role in initiating the important work of advancing our National ICT Development Agenda (NICTDA). Naga says that his experience as lawyer and provincial board member developed in him the integrity and strong commitment to serve. “Indeed, this principle transformed the commission into a world-class leader, partner-regulator, and data subject rights defender,” he stresses. His legal background and experiences in handling high profile cases in labor, telecommunications, and corporate law, as well as his stint in local legislation he says, prepared him for his roles in DICT and NPC not only in interpreting and performing adjudicatory functions under the Data Privacy Act (DPA) but effectively enforcing the law and making sure that its provisions are complied with. The shift from local legislative work to executive work at the national level, according to Naga, helped him have a well-rounded approach to governance. Having to perform these two different roles broadened his understanding of policymaking and implementation, enabling him to enforce the law while ensuring that he still caters to the needs of Filipinos. Asked if he has plans of going back to electoral politics, he says, “I am not fully closing my door to any possibilities that may come my way. But, for now, my focus is staying in the NPC.” A JOURNEY OF CHALLENGES Naga’s entry into DICT came with a set of challenges. Aside from starting in a new role and environment in DICT at the time, he also needed to build a team that he trusted to help him work things out for his new role. It was challenging to find people who shared the same vision as his, but he was able to come up with a dependable team that helped him with his work in DICT. However, since he is young, another challenge was to establish authority over older colleagues that he works with. “I slowly altered their perspectives through building mutual trust and confidence,” he explains. At NPC, Naga is faced with the challenging task of balancing two fundamental aspects of the Data Privacy Act (DPA) of 2012: safeguarding the privacy rights of Filipinos and ensuring that companies comply with the law. The law allows companies to process personal information as long as they adhere to the guidelines outlined in the DPA. The solution, according to him, is simple—just go back to what NPC’s mandate is: protect every Filipino’s right to privacy, and make sure that those who violated the law will be dealt with accordingly. Naga says that the NPC diligently exercises its powers against any party found to have violated the DPA, and the commission ensures that it performs its obligations to Filipino citizens. The commission, he says, ensures that they comply with their mandate, taking on their accountability and adhering to the best global standards. The mandatory registration of subscriber identity modules (SIMs) under Republic Act 11934, also known as the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Registration Act, which started on December 27, 2022, and ended on September 30, 2023, was implemented to combat crimes using mobile communications. But this also raises some concerns with regard to violations of data privacy because of some requirements on personal information. Although SIM registration is under the jurisdiction of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) as enforcer of RA 11934, NPC, through its Compliance and Monitoring Division, plays a crucial role in monitoring and conducting on-site visits to telecommunications companies to ensure that they follow strict security measures on SIM registration data. NPC recognizes that working with other government agencies is needed to safeguard data privacy. Strong collaboration with various government agencies, especially law enforcement and regulatory bodies, is needed to ensure that every Filipino citizen’s personal data remains protected amid the threats caused by digital evolution. The commission forged partnerships with the Philippine Competition Commission, DICT, and, recently, the Insurance Commission on December 4, 2024. These agreements foster a united approach in enforcing data protection policies and responding to privacy concerns. They signed memoranda of agreement with these agencies to empower Filipinos and the country through inter-agency partnerships. NPC also issues advisory opinions on organizations and data subjects that have privacy concerns. This action is the commission’s way to show that it is accessible to every Filipino facing privacy issues. Naga emphasizes that the DPA is a strong foundation for protecting Filipinos' privacy rights, especially amid the ever-evolving threats in the digital world. However, he also underscores the need for vigilance against rising privacy risks and stresses that the DPA, along with other relevant privacy protection laws, must continue to evolve. “The DPA focuses on regulating the processing of personal data and holding organizations accountable for breaches. However, the digital landscape is constantly changing, with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, deepfake technology, and sophisticated cyberattacks creating new vulnerabilities. The DPA, while comprehensive for its time, may not adequately address these novel challenges without continuous updates and enhancements,” Naga stressed, adding that there are equally significant threats and issues in the digital world that are not under the scope of DPA, like cybercrime, e-commerce fraud, and misinformation. DPA only focuses on privacy and data protection, but other areas of digital safety are governed by separate laws like the Cybercrime Prevention Act and regulations for online transactions. “This fragmented approach can leave gaps in protection and enforcement, underscoring the need for a more integrated and adaptive framework to address the complex realities of the digital world,” he stresses. Naga focused on transitioning to digital and modern services during his first year as Privacy Commissioner, aligning with the Marcos administration’s goal of fully embracing digitization. NPC launched the Data Breach Notification Management System that streamlines the submission and tracking of personal data breach notifications and annual security incident reports. The commission also introduced the NPC Registration System, an online platform that provides a secure and seamless portal, enabling both government and private entities to register their data protection officers and data processing systems with the NPC. These two systems are part of NPC’s initiatives to simplify compliance for personal information controllers and processors under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA). They are also regarded as pioneering solutions for compliance, since this is the first of its kind against other data privacy authorities. EMPOWERING DIGITAL FILIPINOS NPC believes that it is essential that Filipinos be educated and empowered with necessary knowledge to safeguard their data privacy; that is why it always gives importance to these efforts. The agency has created mechanisms that will effectively equip Filipinos with knowledge, skills, and resources that can promote responsible digital citizenship. It ensures that their awareness campaign will reach even the unserved and underserved areas in every region. Filipinos’ level of awareness about data privacy is relatively low, but it has significantly improved from 13 percent in 2017 to 25 percent in 2021, based on the survey conducted by NPC. It only shows that the majority of Filipinos are still unaware of the law and their rights when it comes to protecting their personal data or information. Naga admits that NPC has limited resources and manpower, but the situation is not an excuse for them to expand their reach to strengthen public awareness. The commission has been visiting provinces and far-flung areas doing face-to-face privacy awareness activities. The Kabataang Digital campaign targets the youth and promotes compliance with the DPA among small and medium enterprises. In addition to traditional media press releases, NPC has bolstered its online presence by leveraging various social media platforms to disseminate information on how the public can safeguard their data privacy rights. The commission even has a webcast series titled Privacy in the Spotlight, where data privacy experts and professionals talk about data privacy and protection. NPC plans to establish regional offices to expand its reach and services. “These efforts underscore our commitment to building a culture of data privacy awareness and compliance across the country,” he says. MILESTONES IN DATA PRIVACY Naga is proud that since he took on the leadership of NPC in 2022, the commission has achieved various milestones in upholding data privacy. “Every achievement has been a memorable one. Year after year, we consistently exceeded expectations in fulfilling our mandate. I have been proud of our global and local recognitions,” he states. One of NPC’s most significant accomplishments is its appointment as the first-ever fee-funded secretariat of the Global Privacy Assembly (GPA), following a unanimous vote by the executive committee. This designation automatically makes NPC a member of the GPA Executive Committee, further enhancing its international presence. The commission was also nominated at the GPA Global Privacy and Data Protection Awards 2023 under two categories: the Kabataang Digital Program under Education and Public Awareness and the Data Breach Notification Management System under Innovation. The GPA Awards 2024 nominated the commission's Privacy in the Spotlight Webcast in the Education and Public Awareness category. In addition, NPC strengthened its visibility and compliance in displaying the NPC Seal of Registration in more than 170,000 establishments nationwide and in 103 locations across 20 countries worldwide, including Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, the United States of America, Canada, the Bahamas, the United Kingdom, Italy, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Malaysia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Guam, the Northern Marianas Island, and Australia. “To parallel these achievements, we are exhibiting the same level of excellence within our organization. The NPC is dedicated and committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance and financial management in serving the Filipino people,” Naga emphasizes. For three consecutive years, NPC has received an unmodified opinion from the Commission on Audit. “This audit opinion in favor of the NPC is a testament to the solid commitment and dedication of our NPC workforce in the judicious use of public resources,” he shares. Moreover, the commission also received its third International Organization for Standardization 9001:2015 certification as part of NPC’s commitment to an exceptional quality management system. Together with DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, Naga was also recognized as one of the Outstanding Public Servants of the Year during the 1st Data Privacy Conference, organized by the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa and the Organization of Data Privacy Professionals, Inc. NPC was also given the Outstanding Digital Campaign Award in the Best Long-Form Campaign category for its flagship initiative, “Privacy in the Spotlight” Webcast, during the Parangal: Gawad ng Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko Awards program by the Presidential Communications Office. CHARTING A DIGITAL LEGACY Since his appointment in 2022, Naga has focused on upholding and protecting the data privacy rights of Filipinos, especially the vulnerable members. He also adopted the leadership style he gained from DICT, which is empowering employees to have a voice in the organization. “These principles served as my guide in leading the National Privacy Commission with integrity, competence, and unwavering commitment. I make sure that I encourage diversity in perspectives and collaborative efforts to achieve success in our work,” he emphasizes. According to Naga, he aligns with the current Philippine government's vision and policy direction, which emphasizes trust, transparency, and the delivery of effective public service. “I endeavor to maintain the highest standards of governance in serving the Filipino people and contribute to transforming the country into a Bayang Digital, Bagong Pilipinas (Digital Nation, New Philippines).” As the Privacy Commissioner and Chairman of the NPC, Naga envisions a future where the commission stands as a world class regulator and catalyst of Filipinos’ privacy rights—an institution that serves Filipinos with integrity and passion for public service. He reminds Filipinos that while it is recognized that technology is a powerful tool that unlocked endless potentials and created amazing transformations in the world, the people must be wary that since it continues to evolve, it brings more threats to data privacy. “The NPC alone cannot strengthen the culture of privacy. Organizations must assist us in upholding the fundamental human right to privacy. Likewise, we need empowered digital citizens who are armed with knowledge in terms of their data privacy rights. Recognizing the importance of data privacy in navigating and fully embracing this constantly evolving digital world will enable us to achieve all these goals,” he points out. Naga emphasizes the crucial need to raise awareness about data privacy and security to empower citizens and strengthen the nation. This is the focus of his leadership at NPC: guiding and educating Filipinos, including data subjects as well as personal information controllers and personal information processors. He encourages every Filipino citizen and organization to help NPC in achieving its goal because the task of strengthening the culture of privacy in the Philippines are attainable if everyone is empowered. Everyone's high awareness of their data privacy rights can help achieve this goal. THE NPC ALONE CANNOT STRENGTHEN THE CULTURE OF PRIVACY. ORGANIZATIONS MUST ASSIST US IN UPHOLDING THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT TO PRIVACY. LIKEWISE, WE NEED EMPOWERED DIGITAL CITIZENS WHO ARE ARMED WITH KNOWLEDGE IN TERMS OF THEIR DATA PRIVACY RIGHTS.

< Back PERFECT FOR LAPU-LAPU By Godfrey T. Dancel PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY HEJIE SURALTA Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ahong Chan is no perfect leader. But he is no ordinary politician either. Discover why he is considered by many as the perfect leader for the city. The number “10” has always been equated with perfection. Incidentally, a local leader in Central Philippines has been given ratings of “perfect 10” by his constituents and admirers from other places alike. Back in 2019, Oponganons—the people of Lapu-Lapu City—saw in Junard “Ahong” Chan the best candidate to lead the city as its local chief executive. That decision proved perfect for the city of about half a million people as Chan buckled down to work and lived up to the various challenges that came his way. “Inheriting a city that was poorly managed was truly a nightmare,” Chan laments. “Garbage, traffic, and flooding were just a few concerns that I faced upon assumption of office. Then COVID-19 and Typhoon Odette came. These two presented perhaps the most challenging times of my administration as first-time mayor.” How well did Chan perform, and how did his constituents perceive his performance? Suffice it to say that the entire Team Ahong received a fresh clear mandate last May. Clearly, Oponganons consider their second-term local chief executive, a good fit to lead them in the next three years. JUNARD CHAN MEANS COMPLETE SERVICE Chan comes well-prepared as he embarks on his second term. His 10-point Agenda as contained in the acronym JUNARD CHAN reflects his style of leadership. “My brand of leadership is inclusive and participative,” he says. “Inclusive in the sense that I always see to it that every Oponganon gets to avail of the services of the government. This can be best exemplified by the Libreng Serbisyo Program that our administration has initiated,” he asserts, referring to the provision of free services by government agencies in order to address the people’s needs. “[Meanwhile, my leadership is] participative in the sense that I involve the community in the execution of our programs and projects which can be gleaned from the various Bayanihan projects we have accomplished,” he adds. What exactly does the acronym stand for, and what does it offer the people of Lapu-Lapu City? 1. Just and Fair Society Well aware of the plight of many Oponganons, Chan has made it his first priority to pursue a just and fair society for his people. He is bent on making discrimination a thing of the past in the city, especially discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) community. He highlighted the need to address the sector’s long-standing calls for the enactment of an LGBTQIA code. The mayor has also asked the Lapu-Lapu City Council to pass their devolution transition plan to pave the way for the devolution of necessary programs from national government agencies. Among the programs to be implemented this year are supplemental feeding and essential services for persons with disability (PWDs), devolved from the Department of Social Welfare and Development; as well as some programs of the Department of Health (DOH). Complete devolution of programs and services by other agencies is expected to be achieved in three years, coinciding with Chan’s three-year term. 2. Unlimited Access to Government Services Chan wants to ensure that his constituents have unlimited and total access to services being offered by the city government. To be given special attention are residents of Olango Island, who have to take a boat ride to the mainland when they have transactions at the city hall. In line with this, the city government will open a city hall extension in Olango. All frontline agencies and offices will set up satellite offices in said city hall extension, so that Olango residents will be able to easily access services and directly communicate with local government officials. 3. No More Brownouts The mayor has pledged to continue lighting up Olango Island through solar energy. Solar lamps are to be installed in posts all over the island to ensure the safety of residents. This is in addition to the solar lamps installed in private homes last year, which cut the people’s dependency on generators, candles, and gas lamps for their lighting needs. 4. Allocation of Funds Chan has clear priorities when it comes to fund allocation. Foremost among these are the expropriation of lots for the Olango cemetery expansion and for the construction of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) building, and the construction of new roads to address the growing traffic problem in the city. With a number of big–ticket infrastructure projects in the pipeline, the local chief executive also wants to make sure that the funds are used judiciously, so that these will not be put to waste. 5. Repair, Restore, Review Months after Typhoon Odette wreaked havoc on Lapu-Lapu City and neighboring areas, efforts are still ongoing to repair and restore parts of the city. It could be recalled that Typhoon Odette, which hit central Philippines in December 2021, left a path of destruction comparable to that caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Houses, private and public buildings, and other infrastructure were damaged, and people’s livelihood—already strained by the COVID-19 pandemic—was severely affected. Chan has asked the city council to pass a supplemental budget for rehabilitation efforts, even as he recognized the efforts of private groups in giving financial and material help. He has also cited the need to review the city’s tax code and other revenue-related codes with the end in view of improving revenue collection—a must as additional revenue will mean additional funds for long-term rehabilitation efforts. To ensure that Oponganons will continue to receive essential services even during disasters, the city’s top leaders also also looking at requiring business establishments to have standby generators. Additional heavy equipment will also be purchased for use in rescue and clearing operations. 6. Desalination Plant Construction Lapu-Lapu City is one of three areas in Cebu province identified for construction of a desalination plant, meant to solve the city and adjoining areas’ water woes. This is expected to close the demand-and-supply gap for potable water. Barangays Punta Engano and Marigondon as well as Olango Island have been identified as having severe potable water supply problems, and residents will surely benefit from the project once it pushes through. The planned desalination plant will be a first in the country. It will supply 30 million liters of water to Lapu-Lapu daily, thus ensuring that households and business establishments have sufficient supply of water for various purposes. 7. Construction Projects Knowing that a good network of roads is essential in pushing for development, Chan has laid down clear plans for big-ticket infrastructure projects in the city. A bridge linking Barangay Sabang and Barangay Pangan-an in Olango, and an elevated highway bridging the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and Mactan-Cebu International Airport are the two main projects under this facet of Chan’s 10-point agenda. Both projects will cut travel time, while the latter will also lessen vehicular traffic in existing roads. Chan considers flooding as one of the city’s “most pressing concerns.” He says “recent downpours have caused flooding in some communities, rendering our roads impassable.” Fully aware of the danger and negative consequences of flooding, Chan “has already instructed our city engineering office to review existing drainage projects and ensure that there are outfalls where floodwater can drain.” In order to be better able to accommodate constituents flocking to the city hall, a new and bigger structure is also being planned. Chan points to his successful Bayanihan Project as an alternative model for infrastructure projects. “The Bayanihan Project is the realization of projects that cannot be funded by government funds but were made possible through our partnership with the private sector. So far, we have concreted several kilometers of road without spending a single cent from the city coffers. The people in the community themselves volunteered as laborers to help realize the project,” he shares 8. Healthcare and Heightened Coastal Patrol With the completion of phase two of the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital (LCH) in 2019, Chan is focusing on the purchase of necessary equipment, reagents, and other supplies. Phase three of the hospital project will cover completion of the third and fourth floors of the hospital. Having secured the commitment of some senators for funding, Chan is confident that this part of the project will soon become reality. Chan looks back at his experience providing healthcare services at the height of the pandemic. “The record would speak for itself,” he states.” I was one of the local chief executives who were visibly active during the pandemic notwithstanding the risk of contracting COVID-19. In fact, I did contract COVID-19 but it did not stop us from performing our duties. We went around the locked down communities to personally deliver food, medicines, infant milk, and other basic commodities to the people. With our initiatives to arrest COVID-19, and with the cooperation of the Oponganons in adhering to health protocols, we were able to reduce our cases.” Meanwhile, additional budget will also be allocated for heightened coastal patrol along Hilutungan Channel to better protect marine life such as dolphins, sea turtles, and whale sharks. In addition, other coastal areas and dive spots damaged by Typhoon Odette will also be rehabilitated. Chan has taken it upon himself to ensure that marine life and other natural wonders are protected. “Just as we benefit from them [through ecotourism], so should we make sure that they are protected,” he stresses. 9. Amending the Investment Code To further fuel economic growth in the city, Chan is pushing for the amendment and updating of their investment code. He has also highlighted the need for the approval of other relevant codes and resource use plans. All these will be critical in attracting local and foreign investors to the city. 10. Necessary Support Even as Chan pushes for economic growth and development, he also never loses sight of the need to ensure the welfare of all sectors in the city. Fisherfolk, the mayor says, would benefit from new or additional opportunities like seaweed farming and raising fish in fish pens. Meanwhile, city government employees would also benefit from the planned salary adjustment. As for the youth and children, Chan has assured that the city government is in constant communication with Department of Education (DepEd) officials to ensure the safety of students who have gone back to face-to-face classes. The 2022 budget also has provision for the construction and repair of gyms and multi-purpose facilities the youth could use for sports and other activities. LAPU-LAPU TEN YEARS FROM NOW The modernization of the city and improvement in the lives of Oponganons are part of Chan’s vision of transforming the city into a modern community where residents enjoy a high standard of living. “It has always been my vision to make Lapu-Lapu City the next Singapore,” Chan stresses. He is looking at a timetable of ten years for this vision to be fully realized. After all, the seeds of development have been planted, and need only to be nurtured to bear fruit. “I intend to build a boardwalk near the First Cebu-Mactan Bridge, akin to that of Singapore,” the mayor says when asked about related infrastructure projects. Said boardwalk will be constructed along the coast of Barangays Pajo and Pusok. Chan’s journey in the field of public service has not been all smooth sailing. “I became a city councilor, then gunned for the mayoralty but lost,” he recalls. “Eventually I became a twoterm barangay captain of Barangay Pajo before getting elected as mayor of Lapu- Lapu City [in 2019]. Then the rest is history.” Chan may not be a perfect leader, but he has proven his being the perfect leader for Lapu-Lapu City under the present circumstances. His entire slate swept the recent elections, proof of the Oponganons’ trust in him and his team. His perfect partnership with Congresswoman Cindi Chan is also expected to make development efforts proceed more smoothly. A major component of this ambitious goal, however, is the 128-hectare Canjulao development project. More than 100 hectares will host an industrial and commercial center, while about 20 percent or 25 hectares of the area has been set aside for socialized housing. The latter component is expected to be completed next year, and will benefit 3000 households presently residing along the city’s shorelines. The housing project is the realization of the provision of a March 2003 presidential proclamation allocating a 25-hectare parcel of land in Barangay Canjulao for urban development and socialized housing. LOOKING BACK Chan had a normal childhood just like any other kid back then. “I grew up playing with other kids in my neighborhood every after school. It was basically school and play. Becoming mayor never crossed my mind back in those days. Not until I got involved as campaign volunteer shortly after graduating from college. That’s when my interest in politics was awakened,” he reveals. Chan’s journey in the field of public service has not been all smooth sailing. “I became a city councilor, then gunned for the mayoralty but lost,” he recalls. “Eventually I became a two-term barangay captain of Barangay Pajo before getting elected as mayor of Lapu-Lapu City [in 2019]. Then the rest is history.” “I would say that winning as mayor in my first term was most memorable to me,” he adds. “I was up against a formidable opponent with a well-oiled machinery. Many considered it a David and Goliath fight. By God’s grace and the support of the Oponganons, we emerged victorious. Perhaps in general, that was the most memorable event in my life.” PERFECT FOCUS Chan may not be a perfect leader, but he has proven his being the perfect leader for Lapu-Lapu City under the present circumstances. His entire slate swept the recent elections, proof of the Oponganons’ trust in him and his team. His perfect partnership with Congresswoman Cindi Chan is also expected to make development efforts proceed more smoothly. With the way his life as a public servant has been in the last few years, Chan this early is being asked about his political plans for the foreseeable future. He would rather not talk about such for now. “Let’s just work for now,” he avers. “We have so much work to do. Thinking about political plans is not among my priorities now. We are gaining momentum with our pandemic recovery efforts. I don’t want to get distracted by discussions about politics. There is always time for that,” he concludes. The number “10” has always been equated with perfection. Incidentally, a local leader in Central Philippines has been given ratings of “perfect 10” by his constituents and admirers from other places alike. Back in 2019, Oponganons—the people of Lapu-Lapu City—saw in Junard “Ahong” Chan the best candidate to lead the city as its local chief executive. That decision proved perfect for the city of about half a million people as Chan buckled down to work and lived up to the various challenges that came his way. “Inheriting a city that was poorly managed was truly a nightmare,” Chan laments. “Garbage, traffic, and flooding were just a few concerns that I faced upon assumption of office. Then COVID-19 and Typhoon Odette came. These two presented perhaps the most challenging times of my administration as first-time mayor.” How well did Chan perform, and how did his constituents perceive his performance? Suffice it to say that the entire Team Ahong received a fresh clear mandate last May. Clearly, Oponganons consider their second-term local chief executive, a good fit to lead them in the next three years. JUNARD CHAN MEANS COMPLETE SERVICE Chan comes well-prepared as he embarks on his second term. His 10-point Agenda as contained in the acronym JUNARD CHAN reflects his style of leadership. “My brand of leadership is inclusive and participative,” he says. “Inclusive in the sense that I always see to it that every Oponganon gets to avail of the services of the government. This can be best exemplified by the Libreng Serbisyo Program that our administration has initiated,” he asserts, referring to the provision of free services by government agencies in order to address the people’s needs. “[Meanwhile, my leadership is] participative in the sense that I involve the community in the execution of our programs and projects which can be gleaned from the various Bayanihan projects we have accomplished,” he adds. What exactly does the acronym stand for, and what does it offer the people of Lapu-Lapu City? 1. Just and Fair Society Well aware of the plight of many Oponganons, Chan has made it his first priority to pursue a just and fair society for his people. He is bent on making discrimination a thing of the past in the city, especially discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) community. He highlighted the need to address the sector’s long-standing calls for the enactment of an LGBTQIA code. The mayor has also asked the Lapu-Lapu City Council to pass their devolution transition plan to pave the way for the devolution of necessary programs from national government agencies. Among the programs to be implemented this year are supplemental feeding and essential services for persons with disability (PWDs), devolved from the Department of Social Welfare and Development; as well as some programs of the Department of Health (DOH). Complete devolution of programs and services by other agencies is expected to be achieved in three years, coinciding with Chan’s three-year term. 2. Unlimited Access to Government Services Chan wants to ensure that his constituents have unlimited and total access to services being offered by the city government. To be given special attention are residents of Olango Island, who have to take a boat ride to the mainland when they have transactions at the city hall. In line with this, the city government will open a city hall extension in Olango. All frontline agencies and offices will set up satellite offices in said city hall extension, so that Olango residents will be able to easily access services and directly communicate with local government officials. 3. No More Brownouts The mayor has pledged to continue lighting up Olango Island through solar energy. Solar lamps are to be installed in posts all over the island to ensure the safety of residents. This is in addition to the solar lamps installed in private homes last year, which cut the people’s dependency on generators, candles, and gas lamps for their lighting needs. 4. Allocation of Funds Chan has clear priorities when it comes to fund allocation. Foremost among these are the expropriation of lots for the Olango cemetery expansion and for the construction of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) building, and the construction of new roads to address the growing traffic problem in the city. With a number of big–ticket infrastructure projects in the pipeline, the local chief executive also wants to make sure that the funds are used judiciously, so that these will not be put to waste. 5. Repair, Restore, Review Months after Typhoon Odette wreaked havoc on Lapu-Lapu City and neighboring areas, efforts are still ongoing to repair and restore parts of the city. It could be recalled that Typhoon Odette, which hit central Philippines in December 2021, left a path of destruction comparable to that caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Houses, private and public buildings, and other infrastructure were damaged, and people’s livelihood—already strained by the COVID-19 pandemic—was severely affected. Chan has asked the city council to pass a supplemental budget for rehabilitation efforts, even as he recognized the efforts of private groups in giving financial and material help. He has also cited the need to review the city’s tax code and other revenue-related codes with the end in view of improving revenue collection—a must as additional revenue will mean additional funds for long-term rehabilitation efforts. To ensure that Oponganons will continue to receive essential services even during disasters, the city’s top leaders also also looking at requiring business establishments to have standby generators. Additional heavy equipment will also be purchased for use in rescue and clearing operations. 6. Desalination Plant Construction Lapu-Lapu City is one of three areas in Cebu province identified for construction of a desalination plant, meant to solve the city and adjoining areas’ water woes. This is expected to close the demand-and-supply gap for potable water. Barangays Punta Engano and Marigondon as well as Olango Island have been identified as having severe potable water supply problems, and residents will surely benefit from the project once it pushes through. The planned desalination plant will be a first in the country. It will supply 30 million liters of water to Lapu-Lapu daily, thus ensuring that households and business establishments have sufficient supply of water for various purposes. 7. Construction Projects Knowing that a good network of roads is essential in pushing for development, Chan has laid down clear plans for big-ticket infrastructure projects in the city. A bridge linking Barangay Sabang and Barangay Pangan-an in Olango, and an elevated highway bridging the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and Mactan-Cebu International Airport are the two main projects under this facet of Chan’s 10-point agenda. Both projects will cut travel time, while the latter will also lessen vehicular traffic in existing roads. Chan considers flooding as one of the city’s “most pressing concerns.” He says “recent downpours have caused flooding in some communities, rendering our roads impassable.” Fully aware of the danger and negative consequences of flooding, Chan “has already instructed our city engineering office to review existing drainage projects and ensure that there are outfalls where floodwater can drain.” In order to be better able to accommodate constituents flocking to the city hall, a new and bigger structure is also being planned. Chan points to his successful Bayanihan Project as an alternative model for infrastructure projects. “The Bayanihan Project is the realization of projects that cannot be funded by government funds but were made possible through our partnership with the private sector. So far, we have concreted several kilometers of road without spending a single cent from the city coffers. The people in the community themselves volunteered as laborers to help realize the project,” he shares 8. Healthcare and Heightened Coastal Patrol With the completion of phase two of the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital (LCH) in 2019, Chan is focusing on the purchase of necessary equipment, reagents, and other supplies. Phase three of the hospital project will cover completion of the third and fourth floors of the hospital. Having secured the commitment of some senators for funding, Chan is confident that this part of the project will soon become reality. Chan looks back at his experience providing healthcare services at the height of the pandemic. “The record would speak for itself,” he states.” I was one of the local chief executives who were visibly active during the pandemic notwithstanding the risk of contracting COVID-19. In fact, I did contract COVID-19 but it did not stop us from performing our duties. We went around the locked down communities to personally deliver food, medicines, infant milk, and other basic commodities to the people. With our initiatives to arrest COVID-19, and with the cooperation of the Oponganons in adhering to health protocols, we were able to reduce our cases.” Meanwhile, additional budget will also be allocated for heightened coastal patrol along Hilutungan Channel to better protect marine life such as dolphins, sea turtles, and whale sharks. In addition, other coastal areas and dive spots damaged by Typhoon Odette will also be rehabilitated. Chan has taken it upon himself to ensure that marine life and other natural wonders are protected. “Just as we benefit from them [through ecotourism], so should we make sure that they are protected,” he stresses. 9. Amending the Investment Code To further fuel economic growth in the city, Chan is pushing for the amendment and updating of their investment code. He has also highlighted the need for the approval of other relevant codes and resource use plans. All these will be critical in attracting local and foreign investors to the city. 10. Necessary Support Even as Chan pushes for economic growth and development, he also never loses sight of the need to ensure the welfare of all sectors in the city. Fisherfolk, the mayor says, would benefit from new or additional opportunities like seaweed farming and raising fish in fish pens. Meanwhile, city government employees would also benefit from the planned salary adjustment. As for the youth and children, Chan has assured that the city government is in constant communication with Department of Education (DepEd) officials to ensure the safety of students who have gone back to face-to-face classes. The 2022 budget also has provision for the construction and repair of gyms and multi-purpose facilities the youth could use for sports and other activities. LAPU-LAPU TEN YEARS FROM NOW The modernization of the city and improvement in the lives of Oponganons are part of Chan’s vision of transforming the city into a modern community where residents enjoy a high standard of living. “It has always been my vision to make Lapu-Lapu City the next Singapore,” Chan stresses. He is looking at a timetable of ten years for this vision to be fully realized. After all, the seeds of development have been planted, and need only to be nurtured to bear fruit. “I intend to build a boardwalk near the First Cebu-Mactan Bridge, akin to that of Singapore,” the mayor says when asked about related infrastructure projects. Said boardwalk will be constructed along the coast of Barangays Pajo and Pusok. Chan’s journey in the field of public service has not been all smooth sailing. “I became a city councilor, then gunned for the mayoralty but lost,” he recalls. “Eventually I became a twoterm barangay captain of Barangay Pajo before getting elected as mayor of Lapu- Lapu City [in 2019]. Then the rest is history.” Chan may not be a perfect leader, but he has proven his being the perfect leader for Lapu-Lapu City under the present circumstances. His entire slate swept the recent elections, proof of the Oponganons’ trust in him and his team. His perfect partnership with Congresswoman Cindi Chan is also expected to make development efforts proceed more smoothly. A major component of this ambitious goal, however, is the 128-hectare Canjulao development project. More than 100 hectares will host an industrial and commercial center, while about 20 percent or 25 hectares of the area has been set aside for socialized housing. The latter component is expected to be completed next year, and will benefit 3000 households presently residing along the city’s shorelines. The housing project is the realization of the provision of a March 2003 presidential proclamation allocating a 25-hectare parcel of land in Barangay Canjulao for urban development and socialized housing. LOOKING BACK Chan had a normal childhood just like any other kid back then. “I grew up playing with other kids in my neighborhood every after school. It was basically school and play. Becoming mayor never crossed my mind back in those days. Not until I got involved as campaign volunteer shortly after graduating from college. That’s when my interest in politics was awakened,” he reveals. Chan’s journey in the field of public service has not been all smooth sailing. “I became a city councilor, then gunned for the mayoralty but lost,” he recalls. “Eventually I became a two-term barangay captain of Barangay Pajo before getting elected as mayor of Lapu-Lapu City [in 2019]. Then the rest is history.” “I would say that winning as mayor in my first term was most memorable to me,” he adds. “I was up against a formidable opponent with a well-oiled machinery. Many considered it a David and Goliath fight. By God’s grace and the support of the Oponganons, we emerged victorious. Perhaps in general, that was the most memorable event in my life.” PERFECT FOCUS Chan may not be a perfect leader, but he has proven his being the perfect leader for Lapu-Lapu City under the present circumstances. His entire slate swept the recent elections, proof of the Oponganons’ trust in him and his team. His perfect partnership with Congresswoman Cindi Chan is also expected to make development efforts proceed more smoothly. With the way his life as a public servant has been in the last few years, Chan this early is being asked about his political plans for the foreseeable future. He would rather not talk about such for now. “Let’s just work for now,” he avers. “We have so much work to do. Thinking about political plans is not among my priorities now. We are gaining momentum with our pandemic recovery efforts. I don’t want to get distracted by discussions about politics. There is always time for that,” he concludes. Buy magazine here

< Back SMART GREENHOUSE WORTH PHP200 MILLION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA Photo Courtesy Department of Agriculture The government and the private sector continue to come up with projects responsive to the people’s needs. A Php200 million smart greenhouse and capability-building project has been awarded to the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas to encourage farmers, entrepreneurs, and investors to grow high-value vegetables. The Western Visayas Agricultural Research Center in Barangay Buntatala, Jaro received a grant from the Republic of Korea through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) Education Promotion and Information Services (EPIS) to improve small and midsized farmers’ production competitiveness. Agriculture Secretary William Dar who led the inauguration of the project said, “Malaking tulong sa atin ang project (This project is a big help) so that we can have more production with regard to vegetables and fruits using this facility.” Smart greenhouses, which are equipped with current sensor and communications technology, automatically record and disseminate information on the environment and crop 24/7. A smart greenhouse allows producers to reduce labor costs, increase resource and chemical efficiency, and increase output rates by releasing massive plant data. Growers will be able to plant off-season crops, resulting in year-round production. The secretary noted in a press conference that Western Visayas is one of the beneficiaries of the initiative, which is also being implemented in Tanay, Rizal, Baguio, and Bukidnon. DOWNLOAD FULL ISSUE HERE FOR FREE

< Back FROM HARDCOURT STAR TO CITY COUNCIL STALWART By Fraulein Olavario PHOTOGRAPHY BY EZEKIEL SULLANO Cebu City Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros is one city councilor who can lay claim to being a household name all over the country. Few city councilors can lay claim to being a household name all over the country. Cebu City Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros is one of the few who can rightfully do so. A star cager in a country mad with the game of basketball—a former national team player, a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) champion, PBA and Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) All Star, among other accolades—the 6’1” shooting guard found success wherever he went because he is a team player. “I’ve never been a player whose goal is to win an award for himself. Never did I say that ‘This year, I’m going for MVP.’ That never crossed my mind. Personally, my constant goal was to be the best defensive player I could be. When I get recognition from an opposing player whom I was tasked to defend, saying that ‘Ang galing ni Dondon dumipensa (Dondon is good in defense),’ that’s when I get fulfillment. Usually, going into a season, [I ask myself,] ‘How will I get better as a teammate? as a player? And how can I best help the team?’ ‘Yun ‘yung maipagmayabang ko siguro (I guess that’s what I could be proud of), that I’ve always been a team player,” says Hontiveros, who was a vital cog in the Cebu Gems in the now-defunct MBA; Tanduay Rhum, San Miguel, Air21, Petron, and Alaska in the PBA; and Alab Pilipinas in the ABL. Always a star, never a prima donna, the second-term councilor’s humility and work ethic make him welcome everywhere, especially the city council of the Queen City of the South, where he has been the top councilor in terms of votes received for two elections straight. MAKING THE JUMP Hontiveros was courted by politicians in Cebu upon learning about his retirement from professional basketball in 2018. But true to his personality, the 45-year-old baller chose the group that gave him a clear and defined role within the team. “Two parties here in Cebu City approached me for a meeting. I have friends from both parties, but I decided to align myself with Mayor Mike Rama because we already had an existing connection. I was also told that, ‘Dondon, we want you to be part of our group. We’ll put you in charge of youth and sports. We don’t want you to be a politician.’ Those were the exact words coming from them. ‘We want you to be yourself. You have connections with the youth and sports, and you can help us,’” says Hontiveros of his first run as city councilor under the banner of Partido Barug in 2019. The decision to make the jump from the hardcourt to the session hall stemmed from Hontiveros’ values, which he learned from his parents, who were both law enforcers. Arturo and Ludivina Hontiveros had taught their son that for one to be able to say that he had truly served, he must have done something for people who cannot give anything in return. When Hontiveros started earning, he made it a point to set aside money for outreach programs. He would prepare school supplies for children left behind by parents undergoing drug rehabilitation. He would pay an occasional visit to minor offenders; conduct basketball training camps for kids to teach them the values of accountability, teamwork, and discipline; and lead tree-planting activities to instill awareness of environmental issues among the youth; and invite the San Miguel and Alaska PBA teams to play in Cebu City and visit foundations. “I guess I saw that in my parents, and found it fulfilling [when I started doing the same]. I also wanted to set an example for my son and my campers. So when there came an opportunity to be of service, to be in a position to influence, to share, to make a difference, that led me to think that perhaps that was my chance [to run for public office],” he explains. Athletic, affable, and charming, Hontiveros’ popularity made him a shoo-in for the city council, and he topped the councilor race in 2019. But true to his nature, the resounding victory did not give him any air of overconfidence. His decision to run, after all, was based on his genuine desire to serve, and he was happiest that his new position allowed him to do just that. “I guess I had an advantage because they saw me on TV before. If I were in their shoes, I live in Cebu and there’s this person who represents us in Manila and the [men’s basketball] national team, I would give him a chance. True enough, I won though I never expected to be No. 1. What’s good about it is that now a few companies would approach me and say, ‘Don, meron kaming mga ganito. Alam mo ba kung may center na may need for this?’ I-connect ko na sila. ‘Yun ‘yung nakita ko na maganda on my first term (‘Don, we have this and that product. Do you know any center that may need this?’ Then I would link them up. That’s one thing positive that I experienced on my first term),” recalls Hontiveros. The Cebuano Hotshot’s sterling performance as a first-time councilor did not go unnoticed, as he again emerged as topnotcher in the May 2022 elections. In return, he is making the most of the opportunity, especially as he is the president pro tempore of the 16th Sangguniang Panglungsod of Cebu City. He chairs the Committee on Education, Science, and Technology; the Committee on Scholarship Program; and the Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Culture. He is also the vice chairman of the Committee on Sports and Youth Development and is a member of various other committees. Among the resolutions that Hontiveros filed are those dealing with the revival of the river management board to deal with the waste which causes flooding in the city; asking for the council’s support for the revival of the Colon Night Market, located on the oldest street in the Philippines; and honoring athletes representing Cebu City in various international competitions. He also manages the scholarship program of the city, allowing qualified high school graduates to receive college or technical-vocational education. The councilor’s political life, however, has not been free from challenges. He became vice mayor in the last seven months of his first term, as the passing of Mayor Edgardo Labella made then-Vice Mayor Michael Rama the mayor. He even served as acting mayor for two weeks, which demanded heavier responsibilities from the rookie public servant, such as handling and accommodating the request of the informal settlers regarding their transfer to relocation sites by also working together with other concerned departments. The COVID-19 pandemic, which did not come with a playbook, thrust him into managing crisis situations that strained the abilities of government to respond and posed several problems—at times beyond his control—like delays in the delivery of supplies for food packs for barangays placed under lockdown, and the surge in the number of individuals who had to be placed in isolation facilities. “I learned about logistics, that you have to really communicate. When you are told, ‘Sir, can you wait for a day or two?’ Will it take longer than that? Will the supplies be delivered on time? I remember staying at the Cebu Coliseum for almost 16 hours, since we used the place as a warehouse for the supplies, and also as venue for repacking and everything,” Dondon recalls. “I was also a part of the isolation facility team. We were the ones who received those who were to be quarantined, and we were bashed because we were not yet done cleaning the facility when they started coming in. So we really did everything that we could. I learned a lot, and part of that is you don’t make challenges a reason for you to stop working.” The Cebu-born former basketball star never resented the criticisms that are part and parcel of daily life at city hall. Even when the criticisms turn to insults and taunts, Hontiveros never lets himself get affected, except when he sees an opportunity to improve and grow. Hontiveros says that being a public servant is more challenging than being an athlete. “More challenging because of the nature of politics, I guess,” he says as he relates one incident where he had to deal with the spectre of being “junked” by some supporters because of his initial plan of running as an independent candidate in the elections. “I and my friend, Philip Zafra, declared ourselves as independent candidates a month before the filing of certificates of candidacy. So we were judged na, ‘O, wala na ‘tong respeto sa leader (Ah, he’s become disrespectful of our leader),’ but it was totally different because we asked for permission from the mayor that we will run as independents, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be supporting him. There were even people who supported me before, saying, ‘Ah, lumaki na ulo, nag-i independent na (Ah, he’s developed such a big ego, he’s going independent).’” When things were clarified, however, Cebuanos still gave him the electoral support he needed. Still, the then-reelectionist candidate did not escape the negative tactics employed by some groups that wanted him out of the city council. “I didn’t really feel hurt but my family was adversely affected,” he reveals. “Some people would say things that aren’t really factual, very offensive, just to sway votes [away from me]. ‘Alam mo ba, si Dondon, tumakbo ‘yan dahil wala na ‘yang pera, (‘Did you know that Dondon ran because he’s already financially down?),’ things of that nature. I don’t know if it came from a politician, but it seemed like that. They wanted to win at all costs, but it backfired on them. So, whenever I heard those things, I would think that maybe I am a threat.” After all, Dondon is no stranger to naysayers. Flashback to 1989, when Hontiveros was just 12 years old and in sixth grade. Their English teacher asked the class to write on a piece of paper where they envisioned themselves by the year 2000. “By then, I will be in the PBA,” Hontiveros wrote, as he had always been a basketball fan. This, even as he only stood at 4’11” at the time, far from the ideal height for those eyeing basketball as a career. He took all the negative comments from those around him in good stride, holding on to his dream. Doubters still came aplenty in the coming years, beginning with a grade school varsity teammate at the University of San Jose Recoletos, who told him, “Parang mahihirapan ka kasi ang liit mo (It seems like you will have a hard time as you are too short),” since it wasn’t until 4th year high school that Hontiveros grew to be 5’11” tall. Things like the above did not stop the young Hontiveros, though. Neither did the injury that prevented him from trying out in the big university teams in Manila in his senior year in high school, nor the injury he suffered on his very first game with the Cebu Gems in the MBA. Or the opinion piece he read when he was already attracting offers from PBA teams that said he would just be a small fish in the ocean if he goes to Manila, so he should just be contented with being a superstar in Cebu, where he is a big fish in a pond. “And I guess it started with somebody saying, ‘Hindi mo kaya (You won’t make it).’ I used that as motivation,” says the former University of Cebu stalwart. WELL-PREPARED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE Although professional basketball seems far removed from public service, Hontiveros’ 20 years as a professional baller still gave him some preparation for life as a local government official. “However prepared you are going to a game, sometimes there are unexpected things, and you have to adjust right then and there. You can do that if you prepare for everything, like [being ready for any eventuality]. Good thing, I played for two decades, I had a good grasp of the game. But it’s a different scenario in politics, in public governance because sometimes you do something and it offends a sector. Sometimes you extend help, pero parang kulang pa rin, at kailangang tanggapin kahit anong sinasabi nila (but it seems inadequate, and you have to accept all their comments),” says Hontiveros. And like in his previous career, Hontiveros turned to his teammates to help in the adjustment and used his moral compass and humility as tools to allow him to use the negative remarks to render even better service. “I learned from my colleagues. As experienced councilors, they’ve heard a lot. You just keep on doing what you think or believe is best for the community. But you also have to put yourself in their situation, bakit sila naging ganoon (why did they end up like that)? So, sometimes, marami na kasi silang nalapitan, hindi pa sila natutulungan (they’ve asked help from so many people, to no avail). And you find ways to really connect with them,” he says. As a leader, Hontiveros believes in being flexible—being authoritative at times or being democratic, depending on the situation. The adaptability that he says he learned from his basketball coaches, along with his easygoing personality and inclusive brand of leadership, proved to be beneficial in presiding over the council (for instance, reaching out to the minority and harnessing their common goal of public service despite political differences). “They say that the majority rules, but you have to give an opportunity to the minority. You give them that platform to explain their side. I think it’s important to hear both sides. And I remember as a player that you can still compete without offending others or making it personal. And you just prove a point, it should be like that during sessions. So, sabi nila, yung mga session, na-handle ko well (they’ve been saying that I do well during city council sessions). It’s how you interact ba,” he says. “They have good plans for the city. Sometimes, we don’t agree with each other, but as somebody said, ‘Lahat naman papunta doon sa dagat eh. ‘Yung iba dito lang dadaan na river, iba-iba lang ‘yung direction [sa una] (Everyone is heading for the sea, anyway. It’s just that some have sailed through this river, while others have taken another direction initially).’ Knowing you’re thinking about the city, you find ways to compromise and be part of the solution,” Hontiveros adds. “Ayoko sabihin na I have knowledge on everything. Of course, parang kapal naman ng mukha ko [to claim] that I know everything, especially I’m just at my 4th year. But swerte ako I have Congressman Edu Rama, Councilor Philip Zafra, and Councilor Joy Pesquera who always give me advice. Sasabihin nila ‘Don, maganda ‘to,’ parang ganoon, and I learned a lot from them. Even from the opposition party, natuto ako sa kanila (I don’t want to claim that I know everything. It would be so thick-faced of me to claim such, especially since I’m just in my fourth year as councilor. But I am lucky to have Congressman Edu Rama and Councilor Philip Zafra who would always give me pieces of advice. They would tell me ‘Don, this is good’, like that, and I learn from them. I also learn even from the opposition party).” More so, as councilor, Hontiveros knows his role, which is to follow the lead of Mayor Rama. For him, his successes is part of a team effort. For instance, with Cebu City reaching its vaccination targets, he gives glowing praise to everyone who was involved. “Mayor Mike set a good direction and I would say that because of his leadership, with regard to vaccination, we were able to achieve our goal. So on Feb. 24, he declared the program’s success because we reached the target number of vaccines due to our shared responsibility and I was grateful to be a part of it. Of course, we got the support of our barangay captains, and the vaccination program, the administration of booster shots, are still ongoing,” says the councilor, who also shares the mayor’s goal of making Cebu City to be a Singapore-like City and turning the city into a tourism hub and sports hub. Asked about his plans of running for higher office, Hontiveros admits he still wants to be active in basketball, as he also serves as an assistant coach for PBA team Phoenix Super LPG. In this capacity, he takes part in selecting rookies and imports for the team and attends the coaching staff’s online discussions, while he prioritizes his obligations as local legislator. But Hontiveros is not counting out the possibility of heeding the call—if that’s what the team asks of him. “To be honest, when I won as No. 1 [councilor], a lot of people told me, ‘You could run for Congress.’ And I received pledges of help if ever I would decide to run for Congress. Of course, I always abide by the decision of the head of our party, who is Mayor Mike Rama. There were even talks about the possibility of me running for vice mayor, but never did I demand such a position. Again, Mayor Mike Rama knows that I still want to be involved in basketball. Besides, Congressman Edu Rama, our South (2nd) District representative, is doing good, deserving and fit for the post, as he has been with the legislature for five terms already. I feel that I am just lucky that I became No. 1 twice. With that, many supporters encouraged me that the next position [I should aim for] should be a higher one,” he reveals. “But then again, it will be up to the party.” Indeed, Hontiveros has gone a long way from being a hardcourt idol to an important member of the Cebu City Council. In both roles, he has shunned personal glory in order to achieve his team’s bigger goals. Buy magazine here

< Back Carrying the Torch of Good Local Governance BY RAGIE MAE TAÑO-ARELLANO The late Mayor Jose “Ondo” Cardenas passed away more than two decades ago, but his legacy lives on in the local governance of Canlaon City, with his son, now Mayor Jose Chubasco “Batchuk” Cardenas, carrying on his father’s legacy. In 2000, the rebel group New People’s Army (NPA) staged an ambush that led to Mayor Ondo’s death. Among the siblings, Jose, or “Batchuk,” as he is affectionately known, was the least likely to enter politics, given that he was far from his family because he was studying in Dumaguete City and was in charge of their poultry business there. His other brothers served as barangay kagawads , sangguniang kabataan chairman, and government employees. The young Cardenas even told his father he had no interest in public service and never gave politics any thought.He was not even recognized in his school asthe son of the mayor of Canlaon, as his father consistently discouraged him from boasting about his family’s political background. The city hall was off limits to them. His father would always say, “Because when you visit the city hall, the government employees will give praise to you, for you are the children of the mayor.” He feels, however, that his father had already trained him at that time. Even at the age of 16, his father would send him to meetings attended by adults. When his father died, his followers would organize gatherings and ask him to preside. Cardenas admits that he was not a good speaker at that time: “I vividly recall my first speech in one of the barangays; I just said good afternoon. I am Mayor Ondo’s son, and I am eager to serve. Thank you. Please vote for me.” The NPA also ambushed his mother, Mayor Judith, during her tenure as local chief executive, but she managed to survive. That, however, did not deter Cardenas from taking over the leadership of Canlaon City, just like his parents. In public service, his father’s teachings on maintaining a good name and reputation were his bible. The importance of humility, integrity, and values instilled in him by his father, whom he considers his hero, guided his actions as mayor. Cardenas acknowledges criticisms about his family’s long-standing involvement in public service as a means to create a political dynasty in Canlaon. His father became the city’s mayor when he was appointed as officer in charge by then-President Corazon Aquino right after the Edsa Revolution. When Mayor Ondo finished his term, his mother became mayor. However, Cardenas remains unfazed by this, as he firmly believes that his family’s significant contributions to the city of Canlaon are evident in their electoral victories. According to him, his father was recognized as a mayor in Negros Oriental who did many firsts, especially on infrastructure projects in Canlaon City. His mother improved the city’s tourism. “I regard my father as a politician, and I idolize him based on the stories of the people about Ondo Cardenas,” he says. SALTA CANLAON BRAND OF LEADERSHIP Despite criticisms from political opponents, Cardenas continues to lead with a focus on serving the people while acknowledging his family’s contributions to Canlaon. He believes that, while he has not surpassed his father’s achievements, he has worked hard to continue their legacy of service and dedication. His commitment to the welfare of his constituents, as well as his efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure and tourism sector, have strengthened the people’s trust and respect for him as a leader. The acronym SALTA ( (Service Always, Lavishly, Timely Availed) or Serbisyo Alang Sa Tanan , which means for Service For All in the Visayan language, anchors and encapsulates his leadership philosophy. The name SALTA, derived from the Spanish word “ alta ,” meaning fast or rapid, embodies Cardenas ' dedication to providing prompt and effective service to the citizens of Canlaon City. His desire to create a distinctive and memorable watchword for his administration, one that would deeply resonate with the citizens of Canlaon City, gave rise to the idea of SALTA. Serbisyo Alang sa Tanan , underscores the principle of providing public service to all without exception. It represents Cardenas’ conviction that it is his responsibility as the local chief executive to serve all people fairly and impartially. The mayor and his team changed SALTA to “Services Always and Lavishly, Timely Availed” after realizing the need for a motto that would resonate with people across Canlaon. “Timely availability” emphasizes the importance of efficiency and promptness, whereas “lavishly” denotes generosity and abundance in service delivery. Cardenas makes sure that SALTA is a guiding concept that encompasses all aspects of Canlaon City government operations, not just a catchphrase. He places a strong emphasis on the necessity of making decisions swiftly, solving problems effectively, and acting quickly to meet the requirements of the populace. In order to efficiently implement SALTA, Cardenas sets tight deadlines for government services, with a goal of 15 to 20 minutes per citizen. He places a strong emphasis on the worth of every citizen and tells his employees to treat everyone with courtesy and promptness, no matter what their background. ”I always think that we are here to serve, not to be served. I don’t want to see too many people queuing and waiting, because that is an indicator that our staff does not have the capacity to serve right away. I always tell my staff that we need to serve quickly. We should be quick to respond, quick to diagnose, quick to resolve problems, and quick to take action. We should not make the clients wait. It’s offending to hear 'paghintayin mo lang 'yan, kasi tagabundok lang naman 'yan (let them wait, they ' re just from the hinterlands anyway.) ' I don’t want my staff to refer to the residents as “ tagabundok ” or “ tagabukid .” So you address them as clients. You refer to them as maam and sir. That’s what I make my staff do,” he emphasizes. Under the guidance of Cardenas, SALTA has evolved into a philosophy that drives Canlaon City toward a future where every individual receives prompt, generous, and timely service. It is now more than simply a catchphrase. CANLAON: A CITY IN THE SKY Education is particularly dear to Cardenas, given that he was a college undergraduate and, due to his early involvement in business, did not prioritize his studies. However, upon assuming the role of government official, he realized the significance of education and pursued his degree. According to him, education is the key to overcoming fear and achieving effective communication. According to him, being well educated enables one to confidently interact even with the highest authorities, like the president. The mayor is committed to meeting the educational needs of Canlaon City, especially in its most remote areas. He believes that education is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about personal fulfillment and family pride. He aims to ensure that every resident of Canlaon City has access to quality education, emphasizing that the success of the city’s inhabitants is also a reflection of the success of their families and Canlaon City as a whole. This is also the reason why he is now working for the establishment of Canlaon City College in his city. One notable project of the Cardenas administration is the creation of Canlaon City Hospital, a 50-bed facility to meet the people’s healthcare needs. The high cost of hospitalization has severely strained the Canlaon community’s finances, particularly given that the nearest modern hospitals are in Negros Occidental, which is 126 kilometers away, and Negros Oriental, which is166 kilometers away. The completionof Canlaon City Hospital this year will relieve financial strain and ensure that all Canlaon residents have access to medical care. The mayor also intends to begin building a new city hall, especially since the local administration is now remodeling the pension house, in order to keep up with infrastructure upgrades and increase tourism. The Cardenas administration has improved tourism-related efforts to strengthen the local economy and draw more tourists. A branch of a known supermarket and convenience store chain is already open in Canlaon, helping to stimulate the local economy. Although his goal is to establish a vibrant business atmosphere, he does not plan to make Canlaon City a thriving metropolis. Instead, he wants to preserve its allure as a small, peaceful city that welcomes retirees looking for a peaceful and pleasant way of life. According to Cardenas, Canlaon will become a retirement community where people can settle down and enjoy their golden years. He calls Canlaon a “city in the sky.” He guarantees that locals and visitors feel comfortable in the city, and he highlights that realizing this vision requires a foundation of peace and public safety. MAYOR BATCHUK DOESN’T LIKE LONG QUEUES IN HIS OFFICE BECAUSE THEY SHOW INEFFICIENCY, AND HE WANTS HIS STAFF TO TREAT THE PEOPLE WITH RESPECT BY ADDRESSI N G THEM AS MA'AM AND SIR. The mayor says he was able to address Canlaon’s insurgency problem through his infrastructure and education initiatives. He has adopted a proactive approach, focusing on the root causes of insurgency through infrastructure development, the delivery of basic services, and community involvement initiatives, especially in outlying areas. Canlaon City is a retirement haven because of its cleanliness, high- quality air and water, reasonable cost of living, and close-knit society where locals know one another and cherish their culture. “Things here in Canlaon City are not expensive. And why would I want it to become a retirement haven? I can’t imagine Canlaon becoming a metropolis-like city. I do not intend to invite another mall owner to come here because I wanted it this way: a small city, but a very livable one. It is not crowded. It is a city in which you still know your neighbors because there aren’t too many toremember. It is the kind of city whereyou preserve the culture. So that is mydream for this city—to maximize theresources we have,” he stresses. THE ANCHORS THAT SUPPORT THE PILLARS Every successful man has a supporting woman by his side, and Cardenas’ wife Jane is integral to the success of the administration’s efforts. She is actively involved in the development of the city as the head of the city tourism unit. When the husband-and-wife team arein the office, though, their relationship stays entirely professional and business- like. With this, his wife treats Cardenasas the local chief executive, and he treats her like any other department head. However, when they are not in theoffice, she becomes his reliable advisor. He gives his wife credit for pushing him to expand Canlaon City’s reach beyond its borders. Her passion for tourismmade Canlaon participate in events like the Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete, the capital city of Negros Oriental. Cardenas was hesitant about the idea, but his wife’s persistence paid off as Canlaon City emerged as champion, earning them an invitation to perform at the Sinulog Festival in Cebu. “My wife really is the one pushing me to go out of my comfort zone. She is truly the person who believes that I can surpass every leader in this province or country. She has faith in my leadership. Her wisdom gives me strength. And I gain strength because she is there for me,” he reveals. Cardenas makes money breeding fighting cocks. He underlined that financial stability is necessary for a successful politician since it allows them to better address the interests of their community. He gives tribute to his father for his political and commercial acumen. His late father believed that to truly impact society, one must combine financial resources witha compassionate heart. The mayor says his father educated him to be knowledgeable in these fields. He believed that understanding business principles is critical to effective governance, allowing politicians to provide significant assistance to their constituents. One’s capacity to help constituents becomes limited without additional funds. He shares that his father prepared him to be a versatile and effective leader, not just for his own benefit but as a legacy to continue after his time in government. “You cannot be a very good politician if you do not know how to earn money. How can you help without having extra income? When you have a good heart, it naturally leads to good resources, enabling you to extend your help to your community. However, if you only have a good heart but limited financial resources, you may not be able to provide the kind of help that your constituents need,” he says As Mayor Batchuk Cardenas reflects on his path, he sees himself as the fruit of Mayor Ondo’s careful preparation, proving the long-term value of a father’s guidance and wisdom. Mayor Ondo’s subtle but profound influence has left an indelible mark on Mayor Batchuk’s heart and leadership.

< Back Where He Is Destined to Be Barangay Captain Jomer Cruz of San Mateo, Rizal shares how his faith and kind of leadership has helped his constituents in his 15 years of public service. BY KAREN TERESE ROJAS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMEO PERALTA JR. GROOMING BY JHEF CADION Leadership that comes naturally. Spiritually-and kindnessdriven. Long-term teaching. Leading by example. That is how Barangay Captain Jomer Alejandro Cruz of Barangay Guitnang Bayan 1 in San Mateo, Rizal describes his brand of leadership. An “action man,” this is how his constituents call him. A HOMEGROWN LEADER Barangay Captain Jomer Alejandro Cruz, or ‘Kap Jomer’ to his constituents and kababayans, was born and raised in Guitnang Bayan 1—a homegrown leader, as some people would say. The youngest in the family, Cruz was raised in a loving household, including his mother who was well-known in their area for their pawning business or sanglaan. He says his mother taught him values and morals he still lives by up to this day, and helped strengthen his faith in the Lord. Cruz, while in school at the Nuestra Señora De Aranzazu Parochial School (NSDAPS), served as a sacristan during celebration of the Holy Mass. He was also part of several religious organizations which further strengthened his Catholic faith and beliefs. “Hanggang ngayon—hanggang naging kapitan, lahat ‘yun, ‘yung lahat ng experiences kong ‘yun, ‘yun ‘yung mga baseline ko bilang kapitan (Until today–until I became [barangay] captain, all those, all those experiences, they became my baseline when I was elected),” Cruz says. “‘Yung mga act of kindness ko, ‘yung mga nalaman ko doon sa kung saan-saan man, ginagawa ko siya ngayon (Those acts of kindness, everything I learned throughout everything, I apply those lessons until today),” he adds. STARTING OUT IN POLITICS Despite having now served for several terms in public office, the barangay captain used to not want to be involved in politics. “Noong time na kinukuha ako na kagawad pa lang, ayoko talaga kasi ano ‘yan eh, hindi ko naman forte ‘yung public service tapos kakausap ako sa tao, tutulungan ko ‘yung tao. Pero by nature, ganoon ako, hindi ko lang alam (When they were pushing me to run for barangay councilman, I didn’t want to do it, public service is not my forte but I would talk to people, help people. By nature, I am [a public servant], I just didn’t know it at that time),” he says. That is why when someone asked him to join their ticket back in 2007, he initially declined the offer stating that he has yet to decide on joining the world of politics. But when they saw each other at a gathering of a common friend, Cruz was eventually persuaded to run as a kagawad. “And the rest is history. 2007, it was my first term as barangay councilman, which led to my second and third term. Eventually, I developed my personality, everything. And now, here I am, a barangay captain,” he adds. However, the barangay captain shares that it was not his first time in politics. When he was younger, he became a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawad as well. But just like his political career now, it was as if everything was falling into place, despite it not being what he initially wanted. “Noong tumakbo ako ng SK kagawad noon, dahil merong nagsabi sa ‘kin na kaibigan ko na tumakbo ako na SK chairman kasi ‘yun ang nakikita nila sa ‘kin (When I ran for SK councilman before, it was because my friend told me to run for SK chairman because they saw me in that position),” he says. “Ngayon ang ginawa ko, pumunta ako doon sa tito ko na councilor that time, at sabi ko tatakbo akong SK chairman. That time, hindi ko kinonsider paano ko siya gagawin. Basta sa akin lang, sinabihan akong tumakbo, ako naman sumunod kasi siyempre meron silang nakikita sa ‘kin (So what I did, I talked to my uncle who was a councilor at that time, and told him that I will run for SK chairman. At that time, I didn’t consider the job. For me, they told me to run, and so I just followed because I know that they see something in me),” he quips. Unfortunately, someone was already running for the position, which is why he had to run for SK kagawad instead. “Masunurin kasi ako lalo na kapag alam kong para sa tao o para sa amin. Para bang kahit hindi ko alam ang mangyayari, pero alam kong tama, ginagawa ko (I’m an obedient person, especially if I know it benefits people. It’s like even though I don’t completely know what’s going to happen, but as long as I know it’s the right thing to do, I’ll do it),” Cruz shares. Cruz said that this attitude of his is what brought him to where he is now—a barangay captain in his hometown. “‘Yung attitude na ‘yun, ‘yun ‘yung nag-lead sa ‘kin dito bilang kapitan. Kung makikita mo, ‘yung mga kasama ko ritong mga kagawad, minsan mas matanda pa sa ‘kin, pero bilang leader, kahit sasabihin man na matanda sila sa ‘kin, parang natural na sa ‘kin ‘yung mag-lead (My attitude led me to running for [barangay] captain. Now, even if some of our councilmen are older than me, I don’t find it difficult to lead),” he shares. A LEADER’S INSPIRATION When asked what inspired him to become the kind of leader he is today, the barangay captain simply answers, “Purpose.” “Kapag kasi nalaman mo kung ano ‘yung purpose mo, natural, ‘yun ‘yung passion mo (Because when you know your purpose, naturally, that’s your passion),” he stresses. “Noong first time kong tumakbo [as kagawad], kaya lang ako napa-oo kasi ang gusto ko lang ayusin is sports—basketball. Pero noong naging kagawad na ako noon, nakita ko na marami pa palang problema, hindi lang (When I first ran [as barangay councilman], I just agreed because I wanted to focus on sports—basketball. But when I became a councilman, I saw that there are many issues that have to be resolved, not just) sports,” the barangay captain adds. That was what started everything for Cruz. After serving three terms as a kagawad in their barangay, he discovered and developed his passion for public service. It was what also helped him to discover who he truly is and made him realize that his purpose was to be a lightworker for his constituents. “‘Di ba sa Bible nakalagay, ‘Be the light and salt of the world’. Sabi ni Jesus Christ, ‘di ba? Totoo naman ‘yun (It’s in the Bible, ‘Be the light and salt of the world.’ Jesus Christ said it, right? It’s true),” Cruz says. “Bilang kapitan, ‘yun ang ginagawa ko. Maging the light and salt sa mga tao (As captain, that’s what I’m doing. Being the light and salt for everyone),” he adds. Cruz further says that his passion to serve is what drives him to wake up every single day. “‘Yung passion mo, ‘yung makakatulong ka sa tao, isi-share mo ‘yung sarili mo (Passion, helping people, sharing myself to people),” he says. “‘Yun ‘yung nagda-drive sa ‘kin tuwing umaga na it’s a brand new day para makatulong ka sa mga nangangailangan (That’s what drives me every day, every morning, [thinking that] it’s a brand new day to help those in need).” HELPING PEOPLE, IMPROVING THE BARANGAY For Cruz, one of his biggest and proudest moments in public service is when he gets to help others. “Kapag nakakatulong ka sa tao, siyempre lahat ‘yun proud ka kasi may nagagawa ka. Pero ‘yung pinaka-proudest moment ko, siguro itong naayos ko ‘yung barangay sa loob lang ng isang term na nakaupo tayo (When you get to help people, of course you’re proud of all those times because you were able to do something. But my proudest moment, I guess would be, when I was able to fix the barangay during this first term that I served),” he reveals. What makes him even prouder is that he was able to achieve it during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made everything more challenging, including public service. According to the barangay captain, one of their biggest concerns as of the moment is the informal settlers in their barangay. These informal settlers have constructed their houses on bridges along creeks—which poses a threat to their own safety, not to mention the effects it has on the environment such as pollution. “Kahit sabihan mo sila, kung ganoon na ‘yung nakaugalian nila, tapon lang sila nang tapon ng basura. So ‘yun ‘yung isa sa biggest concerns ko na sana magkaroon ang local government (LGU) ng programa para sa mahihirap na mabigyan sila ng pabahay (Even when you reprimand them, they got used to that system, they just throw trash [into the creek]. So that’s one of our biggest concerns, that hopefully the local government (LGU) will have a housing program for the indigents),” he shares. He adds that while it is up to the local government and higher units of government, it takes political will to initiate programs like this. “Kasi minsan pag wala kang political will, wala na, lilipas na lang ‘yun [issues]. Dadami ‘yung problema, hindi mo na maaaddress ‘yun (If you don’t have the political will, then it’ll remain that way, the issues will just keep happening. The problems will pile on and you won’t be able to address these any longer),” Cruz laments. GRATEFUL THROUGH AND THROUGH Like others who are passionate about their work, Cruz simply answered “sense of happiness” when asked what he loves most about his job. “Simple lang eh, ‘yung masaya ka na marami kang nagagawa and at the same time, ‘yung mga tao natutuwa sa’yo in little ways na kaya nilang itulong, ibibigay sa’yo o kaya ginagawa nila (It’s simple, I’m happy because I get to accomplish so many things, the people are also happy because in their little ways, they also get to help, give, or lend assistance),” the barangay captain muses. He shares that some of his constituents give his office small tokens of appreciation because of what he and his fellow public servants in Guitnang Bayan 1 are doing in their barangay. While the job can be fulfilling in many ways, it is not without its challenges and obstacles. Cruz says that the most difficult aspect of his work as a barangay captain is dealing with everyday situations and problems in their barangay. “Isa sa pinakamahirap ‘yung hindi naiintindihan noong pinaliliwanagan mo ‘yung sitwasyon, ‘yung problema, kasi closeminded sila. Kasi magkakaiba nga ang perception ng mga tao, so pinaka-mahirap ‘yung meron kang mae-encounter na sarado ‘yung isip tapos pinipilit na tama ‘yung sinasabi o ginagawa nila (One of the hardest things [with the job] is when people don’t understand the problem even when you try to enlighten them because they’re closeminded. Because people have different perceptions and that’s most difficult when you encounter those that have made up their minds and will insist that what they’re doing or saying is right),” he shares. Asked for a message he can give to his constituents, Cruz said that like always he wants to remind his kababayans in Guitnang Bayan 1 to be grateful for everything they have, and not look at what they do not have. “Be grateful lagi kung ano ang meron tayo at i-share ‘yung sarili o kung ano ‘yung meron sila sa ibang tao. Kapag nagawa natin lahat ‘yun, lahat tayo pare-parehong maayos, masaya, at walang problema (Always be grateful for what you have and share what you can to other people. When we are able to rise up to the challenge, then we will all live harmoniously, happy and without problems),” he says. “Walang naiinggit, walang naninira sa kapwa kasi naiintindihan mo na kailangan maging grateful ka sa sarili mo. And nagsisimula ‘yun sa puso, sa sarili (Don’t be envious, don’t malign your neighbors because you understand that it’s better to be grateful and content. That starts with your heart, with yourself),” Cruz ends.

As we approach the anniversary of the 2022 elections, Garcia highlights the direction of the poll body and its importance in ensuring clean and honest elections. < Back HELPING KEEP DEMOCRACY ALIVE As we approach the anniversary of the 2022 elections, Garcia highlights the direction of the poll body and its importance in ensuring clean and honest elections. By Godfrey T. Dancel PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMEO PERALTA, JR. COMELEC CHAIRPERSON GEORGE M. GARCIA TALKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF CLEAN, HONEST, AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS IN KEEPING DEMOCRACY ALIVE, AND HOW HE ENVISIONS THE POLL BODY SIX YEARS FROM NOW. In March 2022, Atty. George Erwin M. Garcia was appointed by then-President Rodrigo R. Duterte as commissioner of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). His appointment, according to Garcia himself, “was completely and totally unexpected.” After all, he had not applied for the position. However, the country’s top leader must have thought that Garcia’s expertise would serve the poll body well. Garcia, essentially, had the credentials to be an official of one of the bastions of Philippine democracy: he was a veteran election law practitioner, respected member of the academe, Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) lecturer and resource speaker, and radio and television political talk show host. As an election lawyer, Garcia had handled cases against Duterte and for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., among others. Even as his initial stint in the COMELEC hit a snag, Garcia was later appointed by Marcos to head the commission. Following a quick confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA), Garcia will serve as COMELEC chairperson until February 2029. CLEAR MANDATE, CLEAR DIRECTION The importance of the COMELEC can be gleaned from it being a constitutional commission. “People have to understand that the COMELEC’s mandate is actually a constitutional duty,” Garcia states. “Elections are always part and parcel of democracy. Without elections, then there can be no real democracy in our country.” “As far as me, the chairman of the COMELEC is concerned, my mandate is not only to conduct elections or to enforce and administer election laws in our country. More importantly, it is to protect and keep our democracy alive, [to maintain] the vibrancy of our democracy,” he stresses. Garcia is bent on making the COMELEC a truly empowered, independent, and fully modernized government institution that is capable of ensuring credible electoral exercises in partnership with an empowered and enlightened citizenry. Among the many functions of the COMELEC, the chairman identifies three which ordinary Filipinos could easily relate to. “Of course, we always have to confirm, affirm, support, and uphold the right of the people to vote. The right of suffrage is guaranteed by the Constitution. Secondly, we should ensure that the votes of the people are preserved and properly counted, and at the same time ensure that the integrity of the same is protected. Meaning, whoever is the choice of the people should be reflected in our proclamations. Third, and most importantly, the COMELEC should always keep the people’s trust in our electoral system.” “It’s the COMELEC’s duty to conduct electoral activities, and of course we register voters. We register voters not only here in the Philippines, but also abroad for overseas voting. The Commission performs tasks not only during elections. We have other tasks even a day after an election, preparatory to the next electoral exercise,” the hands-on leader expounds, countering the misconception that the COMELEC is only relevant during elections. The direction toward which Garcia wants to take the COMELEC is clear. He is bent on making the body a truly empowered, independent, and fully modernized government institution that is capable of ensuring credible electoral exercises in partnership with an empowered and enlightened citizenry. Another hallmark of Garcia’s leadership is his focus on accountability and transparency. Transitioning from private practice to public service is an adjustment, especially in an agency that has always been subject to public scrutiny, whether grounded in reality or otherwise. Instead of taking a defensive stance, the chairman recognizes that public criticism is only loud because it reflects the people’s desire to safeguard their votes and protect the electoral process. He believes that it is incumbent upon the COMELEC to make its processes and actions known to the public, and for its Education and Information Department to take the lead in responding to the public’s questions. He has spent the first few months of his term reaching out to civic organizations and citizens arms, as well as the media, to address issues and ensure that the commission is receptive and open to comments and suggestions. Garcia understands that openness and transparency are necessary to build an institution that is accountable, and that credibility is just as important as integrity. RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE Gauging from the May 2022 elections, the COMELEC is well on the right track. To start with, a total of 65.75 million Filipinos registered to vote, indicative not only of the people’s interest but their readiness to take part in the elections and beyond. Of this number, almost 55.3 million voters cast their vote. The 84.1 percent voter turnout is the highest not only under the automated election system but in the history of Philippine elections. Asked what contributed to the record turnout, Garcia answers, “I think it’s because we Filipinos are becoming more mature in how we want to have a part in [charting] our future, in making the proper roadmap for the future of our country, in ensuring that the right leaders will be elected. Not only the old, but more particularly the young voters, are now more concerned about ensuring that they will be the ones to control their destinies and they’ll be able to select their own leaders.” Garcia explains that the turnout is also an indicator of the electorate’s trust in the country’s electoral system. “We should look into whether the people were so afraid to cast their votes that they stayed home and did not go to the precincts. So [more than] 84 percent said, “No, we will cast our votes, we are not afraid, we want to vote.” That is very, very important. Even if there were several difficulties during the election of 2022, such as several machines malfunctioning or long queues in the polling precincts, our countrymen still trooped to the polling places to cast their votes. Why? Because of their love of country,” the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science graduate (cum laude) of the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) adds. The random manual audit that came after the canvassing of votes also proved monumental for COMELEC, as it achieved a nearly perfect score. After manually counting the votes contained in almost 750 ballot boxes from all over the country, the Random Manual Audit Committee, composed of representatives from civil society organizations as well as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and COMELEC, reported a 99.96 percent accuracy. In short, the vote counting machines accurately counted the votes cast in the elections. The almost-perfect random manual audit results and the generally peaceful conduct of the elections contributed to the 82 percent trust rating the people had in the credibility and accuracy of the election results, as reported by Pulse Asia. This figure is up two percentage points from the 2019 elections and eight percentage points from the 2016 polls. Under Garcia’s watch, the poll body is expected not only to turn out recordbreaking performances, but also bring about significant changes in the way people view elections and other electoral exercises. TOWARD VOTER MATURITY Aside from quantity, Garcia wants quality when it comes to voters. “When it comes to ensuring that the voters will be voting, we have no problem with that. [But there is something] more important, I think, not only for the COMELEC, but also for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups. That is, how could we ensure that the people will not only be voting, but will be voting for the right candidates? That is a different matter altogether,” he underscores. Garcia, who holds a Master of Laws degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), stresses that while Filipinos have achieved maturity in terms of their passion to vote, he sees that there is still much to be done for Filipinos to reach the level of maturity needed to consistently elect the right leaders. “That, we cannot guarantee [yet],” he admits. What the chairman can guarantee, however, is that the COMELEC will not only carry on but intensify and widen the reach of its voter education efforts. As part of the preparations for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and barangay elections, for instance, the COMELEC will strive to inform the youth voters in far-flung areas of their right to vote, the importance of choosing the right leaders, and of the electoral process. A LISTENING AND INCLUSIVE LEADER Garcia adheres to the idea that a good leader is one who listens and ensures inclusiveness. “When you listen, it’s not you who controls or dominates the decision-making process in your institution,” he says. For his part, he makes it a point to consult other COMELEC officials, his subordinates, veteran election management experts, and even people outside the commission. For him, “a good leader is one who listens, not one who tells others to follow; somebody whom others will follow simply because they believe in the person. There’s a great difference between the two.” In connection with this, the chairman has taken concrete steps to address issues that have long hounded the commission. These include ensuring the speedy disposition of election cases, improvements in the voter registration program, improvement of the overseas voting and registration system, and revival of the Voter’s ID program. Garcia has also taken due notice of the pain points that became evident during last year’s elections. “It’s a pity how our elders, persons with disability (PWDs) and pregnant women have to endure so much by having to vote together with all other voters,” Garcia laments. “Some of them came in wheelchairs, others in crutches or using canes. They ended up lining up for so long, being pushed around, squeezing themselves into cramped spaces. Some even had to go up to the second floor of their polling centers. All these, just so they could vote. With their condition, they should not be subjected to such suffering.” The chairman also wants overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and Filipinos residing abroad to have a better experience in every election. If he had his way, there should never be a repeat of the ordeal that some Filipino voters in Hong Kong and Singapore had to endure in May 2022. With the heavy turnout, consular officials had to deal with large crowds, insufficient chairs and tables for use by voters, and other concerns. “Siguro nga dapat pag-isipan na rin natin ang internet voting para sa ating mga OFW, mga Filipino sa ibang bansa (Perhaps it is high time that we consider internet voting for OFWs, for Filipinos living abroad). Internet voting would be much better, so long as we are able to ensure that the votes are protected, that the secrecy of the ballots or the votes will be protected. The way I see it, that will greatly ease the voting on election day,” he shares. Internally, Garcia wants to ensure inclusiveness inside the COMELEC. “No one should be left behind,” he stresses. “Ibig sabihin, kapag ang isa ay umaangat, dapat lahat umaangat din. Kung may kaalaman ang iba, dapat lahat may kaalaman din. (This means that everyone should be given equal chances for growth. If we are to equip some with knowledge, we have to likewise equip the others with the same.) This, because we are one in the commission—one institution, one commission, one purpose, para sa bayan (for the country).” ADDRESSING COMELEC CONCERNS Garcia’s efforts to bring about changes in the COMELEC started during his stint as commissioner. His appointment as head of the poll body gives him even more power—and responsibility—to make sure that the commission is able to properly perform its mandate. “We have to ensure that we are able to establish and put into place electoral reforms, both structural and legislative,” he states. “Within the COMELEC, we have to ensure that our funds are properly disbursed, spent, and accounted for. This should go for every single cent that we spend because it’s not ours. These are public funds,” he stresses. “Number two, we have to train and educate our people. Our people also need constant education, and that is why we are establishing the COMELEC Academy that will train and educate not just our incumbent employees, but even those that we are going to hire. We will make sure that the learning modules given to them are comprehensive, and thus will equip them with the necessary knowledge so that they could perform their tasks effectively,” he continues. “At the same time, we need legislative reforms, such as [improved] laws. I have 31 proposed pieces of legislation, including amendments to the Party-List Law and the Omnibus Election Code. We are implementing our elections using an election code enacted circa 1985. It is very difficult on the part of the Commission to implement laws which are circa 1985. It is high time we make changes to these laws and other regulations,” laments the former PLM College of Law dean. MANAGEMENT, STRUCTURAL, AND LEGAL REFORM AGENDA The pieces of legislation Garcia is referring to are part of his Management, Structural, and Legal Reform Agenda, which is a comprehensive list of the reforms that he wants to implement at the Commission. One of these is the move to criminalize the practice of running as a nuisance candidate. Nuisance candidates have, for the longest time, been messing with—or been used to mess with—the country’s electoral system. By running simply to oppose legitimate candidates who are their namesakes or near-namesakes and not to offer themselves as real choices, these candidates make a mockery of the electoral system and deprive other candidates of the chance to serve the people. More than the present penalty of disqualification as provided for in the Omnibus Election Code, Garcia wants imprisonment and a fine for nuisance candidates. To remedy the election day-related plight of vulnerable groups, Garcia wants to accord them the same treatment given to other groups under the Synchronized Elections Law. “One of the priority pieces of legislation that we are pushing for is to allow our senior citizens, our PWDs, and pregnant women to vote early,” he reveals. “We allow media people to vote ahead of the election, or even our overseas Filipinos to vote one month before the election. Why can’t we allow those from vulnerable sectors or groups to vote ahead of everybody else?” Letting those from the above-mentioned groups vote early would ensure that they will not only be protected physically, but that their right of suffrage is likewise protected. Draft pieces of legislation regarding the above, together with those for other issues including the qualifications of partylist nominees and substitution of independent candidates, have already been submitted by the COMELEC to Congress for appropriate action. The poll body’s goal is to have the appropriate legislation before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2025 elections. Incidentally, such exercise is set to happen just a year and a half from now. Seeking to improve the voter registration experience and carry out a more inclusive, participatory, and accessible system of voter registration, the COMELEC pilot tested its Register Anywhere Program (RAP) from December 2022 to January this year. Individuals studying, working, or temporarily living in areas outside their city or municipality of permanent residence were able to register in malls, schools, and government offices in Metro Manila and key cities around the country. This paved the way for more than 1.5 million voters to register for the barangay, SK and regular elections, update and correct their records, and reactivate or transfer their registration. With the highly successful pilot test, the RAP is expected to be implemented nationwide by 2024. LOOKING AHEAD More than half a year into his term, Garcia has shown what a competent chairman can do for the COMELEC. In the next six and a half years, he wants to embed his footprints in the Commission by way of institutionalizing standards and processes that will ensure the people’s enjoyment of their right of suffrage and of the benefits of democracy. “Things should always be predictable for anyone whenever they deal with the Commission on Elections,” he emphasizes. “Predictability is so important in a government institution. You do not change the rules in the middle of a ball game. You do not change policies simply because it suits an individual. You ensure that policies are permanent because these have passed the test of time.” “Sobrang hirap ng trabaho (the task at hand is formidable), but we’re not complaining,” Garcia declares. “We actually appreciate the opportunity given to us by our people to serve them in the best way possible, in the best way that we know: by ensuring honest, orderly, and credible elections.”

< Back Rising from the Ruins BLOSSOMING AMIDST THE RUBBLE How Baguio City’s story of recovery is symbolized by the colorful Panagbenga Festival BY DARYLL MUTYA II PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAGUIO CITY TOURISM OFFICE AND MIKE CORTEZ The Panagbenga Festival is probably the most blooming festival in the country. Each year, thousands of tourists would troop to the City of Pines just to enjoy the festivities and revel in the colorful, flowery floats that parade its main streets. Yet behind the beauty and the allure of Panagbenga is a story of valor, perseverance, and redemption. Unknown to many, the Panagbenga is an embodiment of Baguio redeeming itself from the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake in 1990. REMEMBERING THE QUAKE On July 16, 1990, Baguio City was reduced to rubble after a 7.7-magnitude, 45-second killer quake unexpectedly hit. Followed by numerous aftershocks, the quake was noted to be the deadliest throughout the history of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), accounting for more than 1,600 people dead, hundreds of buildings and roads destroyed, and thousands of families displaced from their own homes. On that fateful day, various narratives from the community would describe how helplessly devastated the city was, and how they needed a lot of help to get back on their feet. The city knew that rising above the devastation could not be possible without a leader who would serve as a guiding light to its people—leading, empowering, and unifying them—through the struggle to rebuild and recover. STEPS TOWARDS REHABILITATION Baguio’s rehabilitation from the earthquake has been considered as the greatest legacy of incumbent Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan. It was his first term as mayor at the time when the city was at its most disaster-stricken and challenging state. Mayor Domogan’s brand of leadership was to be a source of hope back then, the kind of authority that inspired the people to rebuild what was destroyed. “It was a big challeng,” Domogan recalls. By working with various nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and other Local Government Units (LGUs), he was known to have veered away from politics in order to work efficiently on development projects and programs that would help Baguio and its citizens rise above the effects of disaster. One of Mayor Domogan’s first steps was to rebuild the city’s roads so as to make it more accessible to all the communities. He also invested in equipment, such as garbage trucks that came all the way from Japan, complemented by a garbage disposal system to aid management of waste. He founded the “Alay sa Kalinisan” program, that aimed to: (1) sustain an efficient solid waste disposal system; (2) monitor and maintain clean, breathable air; (3) preserve the cleanliness of rivers and potable water; and (4) keep the city green and filled with flowers and trees. Because of this program, Baguio City was inducted into the National Clean and Green Contest Hall of Fame after being declared champion three years in a row. Back then, the people rallied in support of the mayor after seeing a devastated city garner such recognition on the national level. ON TEAMWORK AND INCLUSIVITY In order to rise up from the ruins, the city also engaged in several initiatives in cooperation with the other affected Cordilleran provinces. BLISTT, an urban planning project, was an effort of the Regional Development Council of the Cordillera Administrative Region (RDC-CAR) to promote the joint development of Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay to which the acronym BLISTT stands for. It was formed to respond to the staggering damages of the earthquake. The government, non-government organizations, and individuals have pitched in their share in terms of relief,rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. The members developed a vision of a better Baguio after the earthquake, with emphasis on the following: That the devastation of Baguio brought about the chance to change what they do not like in the city; Sustainable development must be incorporated into the rebuilding; Sustainable development must be achieved inclusively through empowering people and other social institutions such as non-government organizations; and Such developmental plans should be done in behalf of the needs of the city’s children in the present and for the future. BLISTT’s vision is seen to be promising. And it did not remain on the drawing board, as some of the progressive steps have already been actualized, serving as a catalyst for more development projects which steered its surrounding cities and provinces to modernity. Infrastructure, such as the Western Link Road and the BLISTT Circumferential Road, have been constructed. Water drainages studies, such as the BLISTT Water Resources Study, the Water Distribution and Leakage Study, and the Flood Mitigation and Drainage Work Study, have been conducted and used as developmental frameworks. Also included were other studies on land delivery units for low-cost housing and town development feasibilities. BLISTT, in fact, did not limit itself to the purpose of rehabilitation and reconstruction. It also tried to address the issues of traffic, overcrowding, inner-city decay, and other forms of congestion. TRANSCENDING INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT Baguio may have been burdened with rehabilitation and restoration. But one thing admirable about its efforts was how it became socially-inclusive and socially-empowering at the same time. Mayor Domogan, through his current projects, has given premium for the protection of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and other marginalized sectors of the community. “We were discriminated for a very long period of time; it’s time to reverse it,” says Mayor Domogan. Because of his social advocacies in his earlier terms in office, he was even selected as the Outstanding Indigenous Leader of the Philippines at the Global Conference of Indigenous Peoples in 1996. Domogan proved that nobody gets left behind in the recovery process—no matter what social sector one belongs to. Recovery was not an easy task. But for his efforts at reviving Baguio after the disaster, Mayor Domogan does not fail to give credit to his constituents who have rallied behind him. He recognized that Baguio’s journey of development would hinge on the values and discipline of the people, knowing that the process of restoration was a shared responsibility. “Teamwork is important. Kung nawala ‘yung teamwork, ang daming makakaligtaan (If there is no teamwork, a lot of things will be missed),” Domogan adds. CELEBRATING PROGRESS AND BEAUTY So, how did the Panagbenga Festival become the embodiment of Baguio City’s redemption? After the earthquake, a lot of people left the city. Tourists were afraid to visit Baguio, wary of the aftershocks that usually followed in the wake of a major seismic activity. The mayor knew that something had to attract visitors back to Baguio, as well as revitalize the city’s Photo by Raniel Jose Castaneda flagging spirits. In February 1995, Baguio shifted its eyes from despair to a collective smile as it celebrated the multi-colored flowers that grew and bloomed on its farms and mountain slopes. The festival (commemorated annually since the year it began) was called Panagbenga, a Kankanaey term that means a “season of blooming.” And from that year on, Baguio has continued its steady climb out of the rubble. These days, the city has regained its prominence as the country’s prominent summer capital, enjoying tourist arrivals surpassing figures even before the earthquake. It has also been recognized in 2017 as one of the Creative Cities cited by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). “The secret to our success boils down to teamwork, discipline, and principled leadership. With these three, even small cities like Baguio can make the impossible, possible,” ends Mayor Domogan.