In an address that blended personal reflection with professional insight encompassing more than 36 years in public service, the Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government–National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III delivered a heartfelt speech before a new cohort of Local Government Operations Officers (LGOOs), highlighting the enduring values of public service and the transformative power of visionary leadership.
Standing before a packed hall of eager civil servants from the 59th batch Apprenticeship Program, Regional Director Agustin called the occasion both “an honor and a homecoming,” drawing on a three-decade’s journey in government service that began humbly at an administrative desk.
“Just like you, I was once the one writing memoranda, carrying folders, and following instructions that didn’t always make sense at the time. But I listened. I learned. I stayed,” she told the audience.
Her address traced a trajectory from entry-level work to leadership, underscoring that success in public service is not about chasing promotions but pursuing purpose. She recounted career milestones across disaster risk reduction, civil society engagement, and peace and order, assignments she described not merely as roles, but as a calling.
The Regional Director also touched on the true essence of leadership, framing it not as a title, but as a daily choice to guide with integrity, humility, and commitment.
In closing, she offered a challenge, and a promise to the young leaders before her:
“Public service is not for the faint of heart. It demands your intellect, your peace, and sometimes even your tears, but it offers something rare which is the chance to shape lives, communities, and futures. Find your champions. Embrace your niche. Lead with integrity. Serve with humility. Ad astra per aspera—through adversity, to the stars!”
The event was not only a motivational milestone for new public servants but a reaffirmation of the values that define principled governance: “matino, mahusay, at maaasahan” which is having good morals, building a strong sense of competence, and being dependable.