Rep. Doris Ecdao Maniquiz began her public service career as the Municipal Mayor of Botolan, a position she held from 2013 to 2022. A homegrown leader, Rep. Maniquiz has found an effective way to promote economic development within her jurisdiction.
From her time as the Municipal Mayor of Botolan to her current role as district representative, she has proven to be a driving force in the wholistic, effective and long-lasting social, health, educational, and economic progress of the district.
Rep. Maniquiz is affectionately known as “Nanay Bing” of Zambales, a title she has earned through her genuine care and service to her constituents. Her core mission, “Serbisyong may pagmamahal at malasakit, alagang nanay,” reflects her commitment to make sure that love and compassion reach every family and be felt in every home across the district.
As a three-termer local executive, she established the Dr. Florentino C. Doble Memorial Hospital (formerly Kainomayan Primary Hospital) which received “No Balance Billing Award” from the Department of Health in 2014. It caters primarily to Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and indigent patients.
Prior to RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017, then Mayor Bing made sure that all students especially the members of IPs would enjoy free college education from the Polytechnic College of Botolan (PCB). This paved the way for the IPs to disregard the social stigma in mingling with lowlanders. Because of free college education, police officers, teachers, and information technology experts now hail from the IP community. During her term, too, requests for educational and financial assistance of constituents regardless of political affiliation were granted.
The rice subsidy program which she started in 2013 offering 10 kilograms of commercial rice for only P200 is one of Rep. Maniquiz’s most impactful initiatives. This program had significantly relieved countless families struggling to make ends meet, especially during lean months.
In 2019, Botolan hosted the 17th Boy Scout National Jamboree where Nanay Bing was the Camp Chief. The Jamboree catered to more than 25,000 scouts from all over the Philippines. Due to the successful conduct of the said jamboree, the Letter of Intent for hosting of the 2025 Asia Pacific Jamboree in Botolan, Zambales submitted by Nanay Bing was successfully granted.
Recognizing the importance of education, Rep. Maniquiz also launched an educational assistance program to support college students within the 2nd District. She has enabled many young people to pursue their academic goals and contribute to the district’s development by providing financial aid.
Rep. Maniquiz’s district covers 10 towns namely San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, Iba, Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, and Sta. Cruz. Through her strong partnership with Tingog Partylist, she has established the “Kalingang Nanay Bing at Alagang Tingog Center” to become conduits and sources of essential services and support from the national government coursed through the House of Representatives headed by Speaker Martin Romualdez and Tingog Partylist’s Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.
Additionally, she has collaborated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to implement the TUPAD program which offers short-term employment opportunities to individuals in need.
Furthermore, social welfare services such as medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance were provided through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Recognizing the challenges faced by fisherfolks due to the ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea, Rep. Maniquiz has worked closely with House Speaker Romualdez to develop alternative livelihood program coined as Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). These initiatives help affected communities’ transition to sustainable and resilient economic activities.
Regarding infrastructure development, Rep. Maniquiz has overseen extensive construction and renovation projects through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). New facilities, school buildings, upgraded and improved infrastructure have significantly enhanced the quality of life for residents throughout the district. Major infrastructure projects include Zambales Bahay Kalinga, Botolan-Iba Bypass Road, and the President Ramon Magsaysay State University (PRMSU) Gymnasium.
Knowledge of abused girls in the community forced Nanay Bing to seek funds for the establishment of the Zambales Bahay Kalinga in Barangay Sta. Barbara, Iba, Zambales since the nearest center for abused girls is a non-government agency in Olongapo City, a two-hour travel from the heart of Zambales. For poor families, the cost of transportation to access the center is an additional burden. Having a center in the district provides relief to families who need it.
On the other hand, the Botolan-Iba Bypass Road was conceived as part of the district’s infrastructure development to support the growing population of these towns. Finally, when the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) became a state university in 2018, the seven campuses yielded a big number of graduates. The New PRMSU Gymnasium is the answer to the perennial problem where graduation rites are scheduled in five batches due to the volume of graduates. The New PRMSU Gymnasium can now accommodate up to 4,000 people including graduates, parents, and guests.
Under her leadership, the Second District of Zambales became the first in Region 3 to host the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) that catered various social welfare, economic, and legal services to 105,000 Zambalenos last January 27, 2024. Forty-four national agencies converged during the BPSF to serve Zambalenos. Among the agencies were DSWD, DOH, CHED, PSA, NFA, PRC, LTO, DOLE, TESDA, SSS, and Pag-ibig among others. This is a testament to her dedication in fostering the ideals of Bagong Pilipinas.
After the First BPSF, Nanay Bing saw the opportunity to tap in-demand national agencies. She continued the ideals of the BPSF through the conduct of the Second Mini Serbisyo Fair on February 15-16, 2024 where she tapped LTO, CSC, and PRC. In addition, Mini Serbisyo Days are also conducted every two weeks in different towns providing the following services: medical, surgical, dental, legal counseling, and others. These efforts did not go unnoticed by the BPSF National Team. Hence, on August 19, 2024, Nanay Bing received “Outstanding Participation Award for the Longest-Running Serbisyo Fair”. Rep. Maniquiz’s goal is to ensure that even the most marginalized communities feel the tangible presence of government support.
As for her contributions to national legislation, she prioritized House Bill 08242, or An Act Granting Free Assessment Fees for Senior High School Students under the Senior High School Training-Vocational-Livelihood Track; House Bill 08159, or An Act Granting Free Tuition for Government Employees enrolled in master’s programs at state universities and colleges; and House Bill 05240 or An Act Exempting Trees, Plants, and Growing Fruits from real property taxes, providing tax deductions for such properties.
Rep. Maniquiz’s unwavering dedication
to serve her constituents has earned her the respect and admiration of many. Her leadership has positive impact on the entire 2nd District. She champions the ‘‘Whole-of-Government Approach’’ where the national government works with and through the congress down to the governors and mayors to the Kalingang Nanay Bing and Tingog Centers so that funds from the national government are received by every Juan and Juana, even those who reside at the remotest areas. As she continues to advocate for the welfare
of her community, Rep. Maniquiz’s legacy as a champion for social, health, educational, economic, and environmental progress will undoubtedly endure.
Born on October 20, 1964, Rep. Doris Ecdao Maniquiz graduated from Mapua Institute of Technology in 1987 with an Electronics and Communications Engineering degree. She demonstrated entrepreneurial skills early in life, beginning with a hollow-block manufacturing business. Rep. Maniquiz later became Manager of DMJ Construction from 1989 to 2001 and eventually the President of Maniquiz JSR Construction from 2001 to 2013. She is a mother to three daughters: Rizza Jeresano-Fernando, a medical doctor from the University of Sto.Tomas specializing in Radiology; Sofia Denise Jeresano-Agbayani, a chemical engineer from the University of the Philippines and Janina Jeresano, a magna cum laude graduate of industrial engineering from the University of the Philippines as well.
