Gov.Daisy Fuentes presented the 2016 Jesse Robredo Leadership Award

MANILA -- South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes has been conferred the 3rd Jesse Robredo Leadership Award 2016 (JRLA) by the Galing Pook Foundation and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Leading to public service was never my ambition. I just came in when there was a need. I just responded to the need and when I was already there, I gave 100 percent of what I have, Fuentes said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA).Vice President Leni Robredo presented the award to Fuentes during the annual Galing Pook Governance Fair held at the Novotel Hotel, Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City on Friday.The leadership award, named after Vice President Robredo's late husband, the former interior secretary Jesse Robredo, is given to local government leaders who demonstrate effective leadership, commitment to good governance, openness and engagement to community and an unshakeable moral conviction. Governor Daisy showed her insightful selflessness in her manner of governance. Leaders like her spark hope in me and in you, and the entire Filipino people that there are many women in government who can be trusted with power, the Vice President said. We need to recognize leaders like her, not just because they are one in a million, but because we want to inspire more people to take on the challenge of transformational leadership, she added.Fuentes earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and her bachelor of laws degree from the Central Philippine University in Iloilo. She has served four terms in Congress, including as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives in the 11th Congress, as House assistant minority leader in the 10th Congress, and as vice chair of the House committee on justice in the 9th Congress.She was among 10 governors in the country who made it to honors list of President Rodrigo Duterte for their anti-drug campaign efforts in their respective provinces.Under her administration, South Cotabato has flourished despite the presence of insurgent groups. It is a disservice to enter public service and not give 1,000 percent of yourself, your skills, all your capabilities to serve and to ensure that not one of your people is left behind, Fuentes said.Last year’s JRLA awardee was Mayor Ramon Piang Sr. of Upi, Maguindanao.