The search for Robredo: One of the Philippines' most effective and trustworthy public officials

At about 5 p.m. on August 18, a private plane carrying Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, his aide, and two pilots crashed off Masbate. Only his aide, Jun Abrasado, was found by rescuers who immediately went in the area.


Robredo was scheduled to attend a political event in Naga City, his hometown. Before the plane reached Masbate airport, the pilot sent a distress call requesting for an emergency landing. But the plane did not reach the airport and crashed a few meters to the sea.


A few people know about Sec. Robredo. I even did not know anything about him until he became the DILG secretary two years ago. He was appointed by President Aquino to the country's executive department, which aims to promote peace and order, ensure public safety, and strengthen the capabilities of local government units.


At the age of 29, Robredo became the youngest City Mayor of the country. He served as the mayor of Naga City from 1988 to 1998, and 2001 to 2010. Since he entered politics, he received 14 major individual awards, including the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2001, and the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) Award in 1996. On his 19 years as a mayor, he showed that democratic government can also be good government.


Also under his term, Naga City became a "Hall of Famer" for winning every year a "Galing Pook" award, a competition for the best local government units (LGUs). Robredo even traveled from Tuguegarao to Tawi Tawi to mentor mayors on how they can provide children with better education.


Robredo's political achievements were backed up by his excellent education. He is an Edward Mason Fellow and a graduate of Masters in Public Administration at the prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1999. Ranked as the number 1 scholar, he completed his Masters in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines in 1985. He obtained his undergraduate degrees in Industrial Management Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at the De La Salle University.


A humble man, Robredo did not intend to run as a governor in Camarines Sur for two reasons: a generally different constituency, and lack of money and resources. His principle is that good performance and good politics can go together. He believes that it's not just governing and engaging, but it's also building a strong political network. But before looking at the political dimension, he first looks at the principle dimension of the things he do.


Robredo's dedication to the country's improvement is also seen by his membership in the Synergeia Foundation Inc., a project, consisting of individuals, institutions, and organizations, that looks towards improving the quality of public education in the Philippines. It collaborates with local governments, the Department of Education (DepEd), socio-civic groups, schools, teachers, parents and students to implement systemic programs that will improve the processes, systems and structures of learning and teaching.


Even before Robredo was appointed to the DILG post, he believed in one lasting legacy: making the Nagueño believe in himself. When typhoon Reming hit the country, especially the Bicol Region, Naga City showed resiliency and despite the absence of national government assistance, it can move on, and it can even be better than the other local government units.


"The reason is, people believe that they can do it. All the others are merely incidental."


It's been two days, and search and rescue operations are still being conducted in the hopes to find Robredo and the pilots. His family longs to find him, but braces themselves for the worst. Prayers pour in from public officials for his safety.


Hang on, Sir. We will soon find you.



[via Reyn's Room]