Robredo: Anyone can be a community leader

A child reading the “A Happy Place” comics featuring the life and works of the late Jesse Robredo as former DILG Secretary and Mayor of Naga City. The comic is an initiative of the Jesse M. Robredo Foundation. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President)

MANILA — People from all walks of life, even those from the marginalized sector, can serve and become leaders in their communities, Vice President Leni Robredo said.

In her speech Tuesday at the “A Happy Place” comic book launching at Geronimo Santiago Elementary School in Manila, Robredo encouraged the public “to be independent, have a loud voice” and use the life and works of her husband, the late Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, as an inspiration in leadership.

Robredo said the comic book showcasing her husband’s life and works as public servant could teach the youth important life lessons, apart from good governance.

“People today have negative impressions about politicians. Jesse proved that he’s different from the rest through his honest intentions and genuine care for his subordinates,” she said.

Serving as Naga City mayor at the age of 29, Jesse’s capability to govern was doubted by older politicians.

“He had a hard time starting because many didn’t trust him but when he assumed position, he introduced numerous changes to the city which reaped positive results,” she said.

The several changes her husband introduced in Naga City included government projects and the establishment of infrastructures, which he refused to be attributed to his name.

“In his 19 years of service as mayor, he passed an order stating that no government property shall be named after him because the government’s money was used for their establishment. In fact, the Naga City Gymnasium and Jesse Robredo Museum were named after him only after his death,” she said.

“When he says the city should be clean, he leads the cleaning together with the garbage collectors in their trucks. When there is a typhoon, you will see him on the streets, leading the cleaning after the typhoon,” Robredo added.

“He believed that the government’s projects must not push through without the people’s consent and participation, this is also the origin of People’s Plan for the informal settlers, they should be included in planning were they must be relocated and what type of houses must be built for them,” she said.

In 2012, the former DILG chief was killed after the Piper Seneca plane he boarded crashed into the waters of Masbate. He was on his way to Naga City from Cebu.