Nowadays, many governments strive to achieve inclusivity within their communities, as having an inclusive society means everyone will receive fair and equal treatment. In Carmona, Cavite, Mayor Dahlia Loyola sets an example of how fostering inclusivity can lead to waves of progress.
Carmona became a city in July 2023 after over 30,000 residents voted for its cityhood in an election. But Loyola has been serving the city far longer than that.
Although a physician by profession, Loyola served as Carmona’s mayor from 2004 to 2007, 2010 to 2019, and 2022 until now. Being in office puts her in a position where she can listen closely to what her constituents need and encourage them to participate in making the city a better place for all.
Loyola takes pride in seeing Carmona residents happy and satisfied because it’s a testament to her quality of public service.
One prime example of how her leadership style motivated Carmona’s LGBTQIA+ constituents to participate in community HIV testing, made possible through her constant efforts to include specific groups from the local government unit and give them a voice so she could find the policy that best caters to them.
Meanwhile, the city mayor also has a special place in her heart for persons with disabilities (PWDs), especially children with special needs. She implemented her advocacy for an award-winning comprehensive program titled “Your Embrace, My Hope.” It is a Comprehensive Framework on Education and Rehabilitation that covers detection and diagnosis to intervention, SPED tutorials, skills programs, and entrepreneurial opportunities for PWDs.
Seeing as how Carmona’s PWD community lives fulfilling lives with a bright future, thanks to her program, Loyola hopes that other LGUs across the Philippines can find the passion to include the PWDs and other underserved or overlooked communities as they embrace modernization.
Loyola’s efforts in fostering inclusivity did not go unnoticed, as she earned numerous accolades for her years in public service. Some of these include the 2011 Most Business-Friendly LGU Municipal Category, the “Gawad Pamana ng Lahi” (a regional award given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government), the Hall of Fame Award for Excellence in External Quality from the Department of Health, 4th Place for the Performance and Delivery of Civil Registration Services, and the Liberal Project Award for programs and services to empower PWDs of Carmona, Cavite.
She was also cited as one of Cavite’s Outstanding Women Leaders during the province’s Women’s Month festivities in 2018. She graciously took the award, drawing inspiration from every woman’s inherent ability to accept, adjust, and perform multi-task duties to prove that women can excel in public leadership.
Other awards under her leadership include the Presidential Award for the Most Child-Friendly Municipality in the Philippines, the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for three consecutive years for perfecting all the parameters set by the DILG, and a Regional Hall of Fame and National Awardee of Manila Bayani Award in 2016, among others.
As Carmona’s executive head, Loyola leads the city with grace and compassion, like a natural-born leader. With her at the helm, there’s much to expect from Carmona as it continues to be a beacon of inclusivity in Cavite, steadily marching towards a progressive tomorrow.
