The call to public service came early for Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao.
At 26, he was appointed the youngest Regional Executive Director of the Land Transportation Office and Chairman of the Regional Management Council of the Department of Transportation and Communications in 1998.
Hailing from a Davao’s prominent lineage of Teresito Magno and Dr. Evelyn Abellera Magno, daughter of the late Justice Leopoldo M. Abellera, this go-getter of a public servant went through the whole shebang of education at the prestigious Ateneo De Manila University, obtaining a degree in AB Humanities. He then jet-setted off to California for post-graduate studies at Irvine Valley College and later pursued a master’s degree in Educational Management at the Rizal Memorial Colleges.
During his time as the LTO Regional Executive Director, he was among the brains behind transitioning LTO-Davao from a manual to a digital/computerized process, a game-changing move that later became a national project adopted by the LTO Central Office.
In 2010, he became Administrator and Vice Chairman of PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority, a government special economic zone in Cagayan de Oro-Tagoloan, home to the Mindanao Container Terminal Port and key powerplant facilities in Mindanao.
As the PHIVIDEC Administrator, he waved his magic wand and boosted the agency’s revenue by a jaw-dropping 300 percent.
After returning to the private sector, he stepped into the shoes of Chairman and COO of the family-owned RMC, where he made a serious school spirit win by growing the student population from 3,000 to a whopping 15,000.
To top it all off, he clinched a spot as one of the three honorees of the Annual Leaders and Achievers of Davao (LEAD) in 2021, an award given by the Davao Jaycee Senate to honor outstanding Dabawenyos in various fields of endeavor.
His appointment in November 2022 as Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao locked his aspiration to make a difference in the lives of the people of Mindanao, putting his whole heart into giving back to the place he calls home — a region very close to his heart.
“I live here, I grew up here, and I want to help where I come from,” Magno said. “I was schooled outside, in Manila, schooled in the US, but I chose to stay here in Mindanao.”
Having been part of different administrations since then-President Joseph Estrada, he said that in all his roles, whether as a consultant or an appointee, it is always in Mindanao for its continuous growth and development.
“I’m not saying I’m not up for lending a hand or pitching in to boost other regions’ progress. The thing is, I took it on because I believe I can make a bigger impact right here in Mindanao than anywhere else.”
Magno reckons he will be able to get things done more effectively once he connects and builds relationships with leaders across all of Mindanao.
“I’ve already rubbed shoulders with many folks, teamed up with them, and formed bonds all over the region. So, it’s not just about taking on the role — feeling at ease and confident in what I can achieve in this position.”
A few months ago, Magno just landed another role as the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Southern Mindanao. Along with 16 other CORDS members, they join the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to crank up the government’s efforts against insurgency.
Having CORDS in every region, he said, is like adding fuel to the fire of the NTF-ELCAC, making sure government programs and projects blaze a trail of peace, unity, and top-notch governance in rural areas.
No politics
Despite holding a high government position, Magno admits there is no aiming for higher office in the 2025 and 2028 elections because he focuses on making a difference right where he is.
“While they say it is destiny, never in my entire life did I plan to run for any elective position. I can say straight and look anybody in the eye that I am not doing what I’m trying to do right now or what I’m doing right now for reasons other than — I’m here trying to help the administration of our President achieve its goals.”
He added that these include the continuous monitoring that all projects intended for Mindanao will be realized.
“If our goal is to campaign, it would be counterproductive if I only focused on promoting myself. That’s never been my intention — I’m not here to sell myself.”
DAILY TRIBUNE asks, “What’s in store for Mindanao in 2024 through Secretary Magno’s office?”
“Our role goes beyond just monitoring; it involves providing recommendations to the President. Perhaps there are still gaps to address — like broken roads or bridges that need fixing — and that’s an ongoing effort. With the support of other government agencies submitting reports to us, we aim to sustain and extend projects benefiting Mindanao.”
He recalls past president Joseph Estrada, who aimed to raise Mindanao’s portion of the national budget consistently.
“One of our objectives is to advocate for an equitable allocation across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in the national budget. I hope to see a balanced distribution among the three regions, or at the very least, a nearly equal distribution, so that no region is left significantly behind.”
Fair share for Mindanao
Far from being recognized as a public servant and businessman, Magno aims to be remembered as someone who tirelessly worked to secure a fair share for Davao and the whole of Mindanao, ensuring its people receive what they rightfully deserve.
“Mindanaoans often say, ‘We supply most of the food in the Philippines.’ It doesn’t seem fair for us to constantly provide for others. We’re not just the ones who supply, but the majority of the products we need for our daily lives come from us.’”
The genuine and pressing concern, he laments, is that Mindanao sometimes lacks what it needs, and there are calls for more support to those in need.
“Mindanao has always been not treated and labeled fairly. There is truth to what most people say about the Philippines — that Mindanao needs the most attention and assistance from the national government.
He believes that Mindanao may require more support even compared to countries that provide aid and assistance to third-world nations.
“It’s akin to a family where, out of five children, some are sicker and weaker. To bolster their health and enable them to compete with others, they need more nourishment, additional vitamins, and better care.”
Sometimes, Magno feels pressed for time to help Mindanao in many ways, except that he realizes that it’s impossible to finish or fulfill all the problems in one day, month, or year.
“I was looking from the outside, and I could not understand why there were still existing problems. Now, I understand better those who served and worked in the government regarding Mindanao. The solution is not that easy; it is also very complex.”
He admits even getting involved in the past with those who criticize executives or people who are supposed to oversee Mindanao — a region referred to as a land of promise but gets just government promise.
“I see the real beauty of Mindanao, what it has to offer. But frustrations come when you want to do much more in a minimal time with meager resources.”
For Secretary Magno, who dived into the deep end of public service early on, it’s like a dream come true — to fulfill a role that is all about amplifying the region’s voice, making sure its concerns and issues resonate loud and clear with the Office of the President and his Cabinet.