VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — Marikina City took center stage at the Second Henedina Razon-Abad Memorial Lecture on Women Leaders in Public Service, as Mayor Maan Teodoro shared the local government’s people-centered approach to governance that serves as a model for responsive and compassionate public service.
Held at the San Alberto Hurtado Hall of the Social Development Complex at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, the lecture was hosted by the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) as part of its ASOG@25 Anniversary Celebration and this year’s Talakayang Alay sa Bayan (TALAB).
In her speech, Teodoro showcased the story behind the local government’s “Alagang Marikina City,” which serves as the guiding framework of her administration in addressing everyday problems and making public services more responsive to the needs of Marikeños.
Teodoro emphasized that care should begin even before it is needed, underscoring the responsibility of public servants to build a government that people can trust and rely on.
“People should see that government is working for them and they can depend on it,” said Teodoro, who previously served as Marikina’s 1st District representative before assuming the helm of the city government.
She stressed that leadership means knowing people not merely as constituents but as neighbors whose lives are directly affected by government decisions.
Drawing from her personal experiences, Teodoro outlined four levels of “alaga” — care for oneself, one’s family, the community, and, ultimately, the public through government service.
“Ang patunay ng Alagang Marikina City ay nakaukit sa puso at alaala ng bawat taga-Marikina. Dahil sa alagang ito, ramdam ng tao na may gobyernong kumikilos para sa kanila,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey from dreaming of a better city as a child to helping lead Marikina as its mayor, Teodoro urged fellow public servants to keep the people affected by their decisions at the center of policymaking.
“The city I once dreamed of as a child is the city I am now helping build as mayor. To my fellow leaders: remember the person who must live with our decision. Let that person’s experience shape what we spend on, what we fix, and what we refuse to leave unfinished,” Teodoro said.
“When we lead with alaga, we connect with something deeply personal. It tells us that we’re not alone and everything will be alright,” she added.
Marikina City was earlier lauded by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for its integrated approach to flood management and waste recycling, saying it can serve as a model for other local government units (LGUs) in addressing flooding and solid waste management.
During his inspection of the Marikina River Linear Park and Centralized Materials Recovery Facility, Marcos recognized Marikina City’s circular economy model that goes beyond simply cleaning rivers and collecting garbage, stressing the importance of creating a system where waste is processed and reused as much as possible.
Residents also noted the significant improvement in Marikina City’s flood-control response compared to 2009 during the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy due to the local government’s flood-control measures.
“Gumanda po kaysa noon. Kasi dati, noong Ondoy, lumubog ang Marikina, ngayon hindi na,” a resident said.
“Effective na ang flood control,” another one added.
Launched in October 2025, the memorial lecture honors the life and public service of Henedina “Dina” Razon-Abad, ASOG’s founding dean and a distinguished public servant, legislator, educator, and advocate of participatory and accountable governance.
The lecture brought together public officials, academics, practitioners, students, alumni, and civil society representatives to reflect on women’s leadership, public service, and the continuing pursuit of institutional and social reform.
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