Josephine Frias Cabrido-Leysa: A Catalyst for Positive Change in Government Service

 

Josephine Frias Cabrido-Leysa

 

A Woman of Innovation, A Catalyst for Positive Change in Government Service

 

Josephine Frias Cabrido-Leysa is a daughter of Anastacia Junio Frias from Brgy. Tanolong, Bayambang.

Leysa is passionate advocate of positive peace, fueled by a burning desire to serve her community. Starting her journey as a Local Government Operations Officer (LGOO), she embarked on a path of relentless dedication and unwavering commitment. With each step forward, she discovered a new depth to her purpose, a new dimension to her service.

Rising through the ranks, she ascended to the position of DILG South Cotabato’s Provincial Director, where her leadership shone brightly, illuminating the path for others to follow. Her journey didn't end there; it was only the beginning. With determination as her compass, she journeyed further, becoming the Assistant Regional Director for DILG Region XII, where her impact resonated far and wide.

In a twist of fate, she found herself at the DILG Central Office, serving as the Head Executive Assistant to distinguished leaders like Secretary Ismael D. Sueno, OIC-Secretary Catalino S. Cuy, and former Secretary Eduardo M. Año, now the National Security Adviser. Her tenure in this role was marked by her unwavering dedication and exceptional competence, guided by making excellence a way of life.

On January 15, 2019, she assumed the role of Regional Director for DILG Region XII, a new chapter to unravel. Armed with her passion for innovation and her commitment to excellence, she set out to transform the region, leaving an indelible mark on its landscape.

Throughout her journey, she has earned the distinguished title of a "Woman of Innovation." Her trailblazing spirit has birthed transformative ideas that have propelled Region XII into the spotlight, garnering international recognition. Her reputation as a luminary in inventive leadership extends beyond borders, inspiring change and progress wherever her influence reaches. To name a few, here are the ideas that were intentionally made to reality:

The Governance Exemplars for Meaningful Services (GEMS) for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), a program that not only recognizes but celebrates the commitment of outstanding young individuals to meaningful youth engagement and governance excellence. Through GEMS for SK, DILG Region XII has created a platform for these leaders to shine, inspiring others with their passion and drive.

  The Gender and Development (GAD) Seal Program, a pioneering initiative now replicated nationwide. It is a system and tool that goes beyond assessment; it is a recognition program for NGAs and LGUs that have gone above and beyond in promoting gender equality and empowerment.

As part of intensifying its implementation, Leyes spearheaded the formulation of Region XII’s 2024-2030 Agenda for Gender and Development or GADgenda. Subsequently, a Regional GAD Summit was successfully conducted, the first in the region. 

Her significant contribution to championing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment has not gone unnoticed. Recognized by the Philippine Commission on Women with the Gawad AlaGAD Award, she stands as an Outstanding GAD Champion, an inspiration for all those working towards a more equitable and empowered society.

With its noise that rippled across the nation, the program became one of the Top 9 finalists in the Development Academy of the Philippines’ (DAP) Government Best Practice Recognition (GPBR) 2023. The GPBR is an initiative of the DAP to promote, showcase, and share knowledge on outstanding and innovative practices demonstrated by the public sector organizations. 

   The CSO Academy of SOCCSKSARGEN, a groundbreaking initiative, materializes the belief in the power of civil society organizations (CSOs) in nation-building. Presented during the 2023 OGP Summit in Tallinn, Estonia, this academy recognizes the indispensable roles of CSOs and aims to sharpen their capacities. By empowering accredited CSOs in Region XII and neighboring regions, it paves the way for more meaningful representation and participation in local governance, enriching the fabric of our democracy. 

  The Drug-Free Workplace Seal Program (DFW-SP) is not just an assessment tool; it is a symbol of commitment to combating drug use and abuse. As it is being considered for national implementation, it signifies a step towards a safer, healthier workplace. By recognizing NGAs and LGUs for their compliance with regulations and laws, the DFW-SP fosters a culture of accountability and responsibility.

    Her research study on Master in Crisis and Disaster Risk Management (MCDRM) has been instrumental in enhancing disaster preparedness. Serving as the backbone of the Local Government Academy’s Operation Listo: Disaster Preparedness Manual for Earthquakes, her work has made a significant contribution to ensuring the safety and resilience of communities in the face of disasters.

Her study was also noticed by the Regional and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (R/NDRRMC) and gained support by the councils through its adoption and nationwide implementation.

With its significant contribution, Leysa was once again recognized by the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) as one of their Outstanding Alumna and was also awarded the Best Presenter during the 2023 PPSC Research Forum.

Her relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering commitment to innovation have set her apart as a true leader in her field. Through her dedication, she has not only earned the title of DILG’s Best Regional Director but has also been honored with the prestigious Tatag ng Agila Award during the 2022 Gabi na Parangal of Capacity Development Awards for Catalysts of Excellence (CapDev ACE).

Emphasizing the need for continual improvement, the team of DILG Region XII, headed by Leysa embarked on a journey to assess its organizational performance through the Philippine Quality Awards (PQA) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The PQA is implemented in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Philippine Society for Quality. The PQA is considered the highest level of national recognition for exemplary organizational performance, and is equivalent to the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) in the United States and the National Quality Awards recognized nationwide.

After the eight month-long assessments, consultations, validations and series of interviews, the DILG Region XII, with Leysa as lead, successfully hurdled the rigorous PQA phases. On March 20, 2024, Leysa is scheduled to receive the award for PQA Level 1 Category, awaiting for the final venue from the organizers.

Her tireless efforts and groundbreaking initiatives have not only transformed the landscape of governance but have also inspired a new generation of leaders. As a result, she was appointed as the new DILG Assistant Secretary for Human Resource and Development. On January 10, 2024, she formally took oath, witnessed by DILG top executives and Regional Directors.

In just about a month after she assumed office at the DILG Central, but she is now rocking the nation with her bright ideas and worth recognizing innovation. On March 4, 2024, the DILG and TESDA launched a new collaboration, entitled “DILG-BOOST” or “DILG  Building Opportunities and Overall Advancement for Personnel through Skill Training of TESDA” Project. The project will provide opportunities for livelihood training programs to empower DILG personnel to acquire practical skills, for them to find supplemental sources of income to enable holistic growth.

In every role she undertakes, Leysa inspires those around her to reach greater heights. Her story is not just one of personal success but a testament to the power of passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to serving the Filipino people.