South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. received widespread praise after delivering a powerful and well-received presentation before thousands of career executives during the 2025 Career Executive Service Conference (CESCON) held at the Manila Hotel.
Invited as one of the conference’s distinguished speakers, Governor Tamayo delivered “Public Service Model: Leadership in Action, Delivering Results for the People.”
His speech emphasized the importance of servant leadership, accountability, and results-driven governance, and its messages resonated strongly with the large audience, earning repeated rounds of applause.
“I was one of those who became dismayed by the system of government we had. That is why I decided to join public service—to change the system and make it work for the majority,”he said.
Reminiscing his first years in public service, “This is the time to change the system of government. As an executive, I need to go down to the people and ask what kind of service they expect from us.”
A key highlight of his presentation was showcasing South Cotabato’s pilot programs, the Free Education Program and the Free Hospitalization Program, two flagship initiatives that symbolize the province’s commitment to inclusive and equitable development.
Governor Tamayo explained how these programs were carefully designed and effectively implemented to ensure that every South Cotabateño, regardless of economic background, has access to quality education and essential healthcare.
“Hospitals should be free. Schools should be free. In South Cotabato, you don’t need to go to politicians for help—you just enroll or go to the hospital, and services are free,” he said while audience clapped their hands in agreement.
Conference delegates responded enthusiastically, describing the programs as clear proof of what focused, transparent, and people-first governance can achieve.
Participants praised his talk as “inspiring,” “visionary,” and “a benchmark for transformative leadership,” noting South Cotabato’s reputation as a province that promotes innovation, transparency, and citizen-centered governance.
“In our P2-billion budget, we completed more than 200 kilometers of roads—when normally the government can only do 70. With the right system, you can do more,” the governor shared.
Governor Tamayo’s participation in CESCON 2025 further strengthened his reputation as a leader who consistently translates the principles of good governance into tangible and impactful results for the people.
“Let’s stop blaming each other. We need to work as one system because progress only comes when all departments move together, ” he stressed.
The 2025 CESCON, along with the CES anniversary celebration and the Lifelong Learning for Leadership Congress, continues to serve as a leading platform for promoting leadership excellence and innovative, results-driven public service across the Philippines.
This year’s CESCON also marks the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the Career Executive Service (CES) and the 2025 CES Lifelong Learning for Leadership Congress, which brought together top public sector leaders, policymakers, and career executives from across the country.
