Maria Lourdes Terbio and her son live at Maogma Village.

A former illegal settler, Terbio and her neighbors now own houses… thanks to the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Then Naga Mayor Robredo transferred them to Maogma and gave them homes with water and electricity, including a plot of land to plant crops in.

He hand picked areas unlikely to flood for relocation…and made sure the City’s Urban Poor Affairs Office responded quickly to their needs.

MARIA LOURDES TERBIO: Syempre masaya may sarili na kaming bahay, dati kasi squatter lang kami doon. Hindi po namin siya makakalimutan

When he first became Mayor, 20% of city dwellers were squatters… after ten years, he wiped them out from the city center.

Aside from housing, Robredo also focused on the youth.

The Naga City Youth Officials program, which integrates youth in government operations, is one of his most-awarded projects.

He also built Naga City Science High School during his term, which offers high quality public education to the brightest Naga teens.

Sponsored by the local government, aspiring doctors and engineers attend NCSHS for only 3,000 pesos a year.

KRISTI MARIA DOMINIQUE AGUILAR: Thank you po kay Sec Robredo kasi kung hindi po sa kanya wala ang school, kahit po ngayong hindi ko po alam kung hindi po dito kasi iba masyadong mahal, malayo. Nagpapasalamat po talaga ako sa kanya.

Robredo’s family say the outpouring of prayer and support for him gives them strength.

Thousands come to his wake to say goodbye… and thank you. Those whose lives he changed vow to remember him for a long time.

For Nagueños, the death of Robredo hurts. But as days go by, they smile more often. They are more willing to share their memories of him, as they realize that having known him at all, is enough reason to be grateful.

Natashya Gutierrez, Rappler, Naga City. – Rappler.com

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• Jesse Robredo’s journey back home
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