2013 Special Academic Convocation - Jesse Robredo (posthumous)

Summary

Jesse Robredo was a passionate and dedicated public servant, deeply committed to the welfare of ordinary people. As mayor of Naga, he prioritized inclusivity, transparency, and citizen participation, transforming the city into a model of good governance. Known for his problem-solving abilities and hands-on approach, Robredo's work extended beyond Naga as he sought to promote effective governance nationwide during his tenure as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. His leadership was driven by a genuine desire to serve and empower others, leaving a lasting impact on his community and the country.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesse Robredo was most at ease and alive when interacting with ordinary people, often going out of his way to help them even outside his working hours.
• 😀 Robredo was deeply committed to understanding poverty, frequently reaching out to social development workers to explore how his office could support them.
• 😀 He prioritized maintaining a personal connection with the people, seeking to hear about their challenges directly, fueling his passion for service.
• 😀 Known as a natural problem solver, Robredo was quick to act in disaster situations, often being the first to arrive and ensuring everything was in order.
• 😀 His love for his hometown of Naga was well-known, and he left a lucrative corporate job in 1986 to work in local government and improve the city.
• 😀 Robredo had a clear vision for governance, aiming to make the people of Naga the happiest in the region by focusing on inclusive and consultative leadership.
• 😀 He tackled key city problems like urban blight, red tape, graft, and tax collection, involving the private sector and NGOs in the process.
• 😀 Robredo pioneered transparency and accountability in local governance, implementing measures like interactive websites to track financial transactions and budgets.
• 😀 By the end of his third term in 1998, Naga had outpaced the country's GDP growth by 115% and earned numerous awards for government efficiency and people participation.
• 😀 Robredo's leadership was shaped by his Jesuit education and his father's values of hard work, honor, and simplicity, which he carried into his role as mayor and later as the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
• 😀 Even as Secretary, Robredo promoted good governance on a national scale, emphasizing the importance of finding and training effective, ethical leaders to drive systemic change.

Q & A

What did Jesse Robredo value most in his interactions with people?

Jesse Robredo always valued being in touch with ordinary people. He believed in giving them not only his time but also his full attention, which allowed him to understand the intricacies of poverty and maintain a connection with the common people, even as he rose to power.

How did Jesse Robredo contribute to his community after the Edsa revolution?

After the Edsa revolution in 1986, Jesse Robredo left his lucrative corporate job and returned to Naga to serve in the public sector. He first worked as the director of the Beakle River Basin Development Program before taking on roles in local government.

What was Jesse Robredo’s main goal as mayor of Naga?

Jesse Robredo's main goal as mayor of Naga was to make the people of Naga the happiest Bicolanos. He worked towards this by implementing reforms and ensuring a high standard of governance, involving various sectors in the development process.

How did Jesse Robredo approach governance as the mayor of Naga?

As mayor, Jesse Robredo introduced inclusive and consultative governance. He reached out to all sectors of the city, including private organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and people's organizations (POs), to ensure transparency, accountability, and active participation in local governance.

What innovative steps did Jesse Robredo take to improve transparency in Naga's local government?

Jesse Robredo introduced an interactive website for city hall, providing access to the city's financial transactions, budgets, and other important information, ensuring transparency and enabling people to engage in the city's governance.

How did Naga City perform under Jesse Robredo's leadership?

Under Jesse Robredo’s leadership, Naga experienced significant growth, outpacing the national GDP by 115%. The city won over 140 awards for government efficiency and people participation, marking a period of remarkable success and recognition.

What were the core values that influenced Jesse Robredo's leadership?

Jesse Robredo’s leadership was influenced by values of hard work, honor, and simplicity, which he learned from his father and his Jesuit education at Ateneo de Naga. These values guided his actions and decisions throughout his career.

What did Jesse Robredo do to promote good governance on a national level?

After being appointed Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2010, Jesse Robredo sought to institutionalize good governance nationwide, drawing from his experience in Naga and promoting transparency and accountability across the country.

What was Jesse Robredo’s belief regarding leadership?

Jesse Robredo believed that many ethical and effective leaders existed, and the key was to establish systems that would enable such leaders to emerge and lead by example. He was committed to finding and inspiring these leaders, rather than assuming they were rare.

How did Jesse Robredo respond during the Typhoon Millennium crisis?

During Typhoon Millennium, despite the raging storm and exhaustion, Jesse Robredo insisted on visiting evacuation centers late at night to ensure no area was left unchecked, demonstrating his commitment to the safety and welfare of the people, even under challenging conditions.