Of plants, canines and felines

“Tumanda na ako sa Capitol!”, these were the words of the lady who best exemplifies the saying “grace under pressure”, when she cordially consented to a one-on-one interview with 1Bataan.com. She uttered these words while sporting her usual adorable smile that never fails to endear her to people.

This amiable soft-spoken lady, a role model for simplicity, grace, humility and classic beauty is currently in charge of the Provincial Governor’s Office (Administration Office).

Mrs. Ludivina G. Banzon or simply Ma’am Ludi to friends and colleagues, is married to Joaquin Geronimo Banzon and their union is blessed with six children namely: Jean Louise Patricia, Jose Gabriel Immanuel, Ma. Ursula Paula Mae, Julian Manuel, Angela Mathilda and Joaquin Jr. The happy family presently lives in Poblacion, City of Balanga, Bataan.

A native of Nueva Ecija, she is a product of Laur Central Elementary School and St. Stephen Academy. In college, Ma’am Ludi first took up BS Agricultural Engineering at the University of the Philippines in Los Baṅos, Laguna but after four years, she shifted to BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering at the Wesleyan University-Philippines in Cabanatuan City. She pursued her master’s degree in Public Management at the University of the Philippines extension program in Olongapo City (UPEPO) in 1995 while working at the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) under the Local Scholarship Program (LSP) of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

In 1986, she entered public service as Statistician at the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO). She also had a short stint as a teacher at the Bataan National High School. Armed with dedication, competence and hard work, she continued to slowly but surely climb her career ladder until she became Assistant Head in 1996 at the PPDO and as OIC-PPDC in 2004. In 2014, she was promoted to Provincial General Services Officer and later on transferred to the governor’s office to her current post.

Now that the Provincial Government of Bataan has embarked on the attainment of its vision, that is quality growth to attain top level human development index in the country as well as its mission of providing excellent public service, Ma’am Ludi and her staff have been painstakingly working on the realization of its various strategic initiatives such as the governor’s visioning roadshow, development of Public-Private Partnerships, Bataan-wide barangay master planning orientation, PGB housing plan, and the restoration and maintenance of Bataan’s historical sites.

After every tiring day at the office, Ma’am Ludi unwinds by tending to her plants, which she considers as her guilty pleasure. She admitted that whenever she goes places, the first thing she looks for is a plant that she doesn’t have yet that she can add to her green collection.  Incidentally, Ma’am Ludi has also extended her home to two adorable canines and three charming felines.