A great time for women
GUEST COLUMNIST
Published Mar 23, 2023 23:33 pm
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Updated Mar 23, 2023 23:33 pm
By GODDES HOPE LIBIRAN
I vividly remember everything.
The first person who inspired my decision to join government service was my father, who started as a Bantay Bayan tanod in Marikina, then became barangay secretary, and got elected as a kagawad.
I saw him apply the values of discipline and compassion into his work. To him, serving the people in his barangay was a 24/7 job.
I knew I was emulating his example when, fresh from graduating as a Broadcast Communication major with honors, I applied for a production assistant job at the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). But the application process seemed meticulous. I went through several interviews with MMDA higher-ups. As it turned out, I was hired as program production head for MMDA TeleRadyo.
I was only 19 years old then. As a young woman surrounded by older people as team members, I felt some resistance. Someone even told me she can never consider me her boss. I was also called hurtful names.
At night, I’d go home crying but didn’t want my parents to know. I resolved to rise above this crisis — not to be affected by the toxic work atmosphere — and put to good use the knowledge I will gain from my work. That’s how I created the first-ever news team in the MMDA, improved the station programming, and upgraded our equipment.
Management noticed, and after six months, I was promoted to station manager. But the negative attitude from some of my team members persisted. But I did not mind them. I just deep-dived into my work and found ways to improve our organization’s services. These included the establishment of a centralized machinery in processing public concerns, grievances and petitions and steering the MMDA Digital Media Team forward.
I was a single woman then who didn’t mind spending long hours at work. Sometimes, I even slept there, especially if there are calamities where public information is crucial. Serving the public became one of my joyful sources of strength against bashers. My work spoke for itself, which led to an opportunity to be sent abroad for studies.
Marriage and motherhood, however, changed the picture, including my priorities. And I was lucky to have bosses who understood my responsibilities as a mother.
Now I am blessed to have a woman for my boss, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman (or Sec. Mina, as we fondly call her). While she is single, she understands fully well the twin challenges of being a mom and a public servant.
Women are hardwired to be a nurturing, comforting presence. It’s in our DNA to be resilient against all odds, and yet have an awesome propensity to love and care unconditionally.
On the occasion of International Women’s Month, I honor all women — mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmas — who continue to strive for their loved ones and for the country’s progress. There are still gaps in terms of women’s rights and representation — of breaking that proverbial glass ceiling — but we’ve surely gone a long way.
I believe this is a great time for women to shine and lead. Filipino women are being recognized worldwide for their accomplishments. At DBM alone, our leader, Sec. Mina, is a woman. And among eight DBM undersecretaries, five are women, including me. Sec. Mina is one charismatic woman leader who is great at motivating people, gently but steadfastly moving her team to deliver and to strive for excellence.
To the girls and women reading this, remember that you’ve only just begun. It’s important to have a dream and pursue it. Make a roadmap to achieve that dream and follow it with your heart. Don’t listen to negative people. Instead, surround yourself with people who will motivate and uplift you. Listen to your inner voice, and nurture your spirit and faith in God.
To those aspiring to serve in government someday, always aim to be the best version of yourselves. Aim to grow in your work every day. Be punctual and meet your deadlines. Honor your time at work and the people you are committed to serve. Set aside your “me” attitude and learn to work as a group. Foster the spirit of collaboration. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from others if you need it.
Most of all, be responsive and learn to empathize. Emphatic leadership isn’t just a skill that will earn you the trust of others, but a beautiful trait as a public servant.
I am proud to be a woman and believe all the roles I play — mother, wife, sister, daughter, and public servant — are valuable gifts from God. *(Goddes Hope Oliveros Libiran is the current undersecretary and supervising senior official of the Media Affairs and Community Relations Office (MACRO) and Internal Audit Service (IAS) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). During the Duterte administration, she was the assistant secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).)*
The first person who inspired my decision to join government service was my father, who started as a Bantay Bayan tanod in Marikina, then became barangay secretary, and got elected as a kagawad.
I saw him apply the values of discipline and compassion into his work. To him, serving the people in his barangay was a 24/7 job.
I knew I was emulating his example when, fresh from graduating as a Broadcast Communication major with honors, I applied for a production assistant job at the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). But the application process seemed meticulous. I went through several interviews with MMDA higher-ups. As it turned out, I was hired as program production head for MMDA TeleRadyo.
I was only 19 years old then. As a young woman surrounded by older people as team members, I felt some resistance. Someone even told me she can never consider me her boss. I was also called hurtful names.
At night, I’d go home crying but didn’t want my parents to know. I resolved to rise above this crisis — not to be affected by the toxic work atmosphere — and put to good use the knowledge I will gain from my work. That’s how I created the first-ever news team in the MMDA, improved the station programming, and upgraded our equipment.
Management noticed, and after six months, I was promoted to station manager. But the negative attitude from some of my team members persisted. But I did not mind them. I just deep-dived into my work and found ways to improve our organization’s services. These included the establishment of a centralized machinery in processing public concerns, grievances and petitions and steering the MMDA Digital Media Team forward.
I was a single woman then who didn’t mind spending long hours at work. Sometimes, I even slept there, especially if there are calamities where public information is crucial. Serving the public became one of my joyful sources of strength against bashers. My work spoke for itself, which led to an opportunity to be sent abroad for studies.
Marriage and motherhood, however, changed the picture, including my priorities. And I was lucky to have bosses who understood my responsibilities as a mother.
Now I am blessed to have a woman for my boss, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman (or Sec. Mina, as we fondly call her). While she is single, she understands fully well the twin challenges of being a mom and a public servant.
Women are hardwired to be a nurturing, comforting presence. It’s in our DNA to be resilient against all odds, and yet have an awesome propensity to love and care unconditionally.
On the occasion of International Women’s Month, I honor all women — mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmas — who continue to strive for their loved ones and for the country’s progress. There are still gaps in terms of women’s rights and representation — of breaking that proverbial glass ceiling — but we’ve surely gone a long way.
I believe this is a great time for women to shine and lead. Filipino women are being recognized worldwide for their accomplishments. At DBM alone, our leader, Sec. Mina, is a woman. And among eight DBM undersecretaries, five are women, including me. Sec. Mina is one charismatic woman leader who is great at motivating people, gently but steadfastly moving her team to deliver and to strive for excellence.
To the girls and women reading this, remember that you’ve only just begun. It’s important to have a dream and pursue it. Make a roadmap to achieve that dream and follow it with your heart. Don’t listen to negative people. Instead, surround yourself with people who will motivate and uplift you. Listen to your inner voice, and nurture your spirit and faith in God.
To those aspiring to serve in government someday, always aim to be the best version of yourselves. Aim to grow in your work every day. Be punctual and meet your deadlines. Honor your time at work and the people you are committed to serve. Set aside your “me” attitude and learn to work as a group. Foster the spirit of collaboration. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from others if you need it.
Most of all, be responsive and learn to empathize. Emphatic leadership isn’t just a skill that will earn you the trust of others, but a beautiful trait as a public servant.
I am proud to be a woman and believe all the roles I play — mother, wife, sister, daughter, and public servant — are valuable gifts from God. *(Goddes Hope Oliveros Libiran is the current undersecretary and supervising senior official of the Media Affairs and Community Relations Office (MACRO) and Internal Audit Service (IAS) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). During the Duterte administration, she was the assistant secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).)*