HELPING PEOPLE GROW

Beyond addressing urgent health needs, Karlo has consistently advocated for preventive care to fortify community health. Since 2005, he has been instrumental in organizing medical and dental missions in Davao City, in collaboration with various NGOs, government agencies, and local councils. These missions provide not only treatment but also preventive services that safeguard against the spread of diseases, thereby enhancing overall community wellness.

His commitment to public health advocacy didn’t conclude with his congressional tenure. Moving into broader governmental roles, Karlo served as co-chair and spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and chaired the government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger. These positions placed him at the helm of the Philippines’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing his pivotal role in integrating health strategies with nutritional and food security policies to address and prevent hunger.

Throughout his government career, Karlo has championed a comprehensive development agenda that spans multiple crucial sectors, driven by the conviction that the government should serve as a catalyst for growth. Initiatives that promote education, health, and community support under his guidance demonstrate a deep commitment to fostering holistic development, improving living conditions, and creating opportunities that enable citizens to thrive sustainably.

In the critical areas of health and education, Karlo’s proactive approach underscores his understanding of their foundational impact on personal and national progress. By enhancing healthcare systems and expanding educational opportunities, he equips individuals with essential tools to better their lives and contribute positively to their communities. These efforts are augmented by his dedication to strengthening infrastructure and community support programs, crucial for nurturing a more connected and supportive societal framework. This integrated strategy ensures that progress in one domain reinforces and synergizes with advances in others.

Furthermore, Karlo’s initiatives extend to environmental conservation, energy sustainability, and fostering youth livelihood. Recognizing that the prosperity of the Philippines hinges not only on the well-being of its current citizens but also on the preservation of its natural resources and the empowerment of future generations, he promotes sustainable practices and youth- oriented programs. These provide skills and employment opportunities, preparing young people for a successful future.

Through these interconnected endeavors, Karlo is not just improving individual lives— he is setting the stage for a thriving national community.

Planting the Seeds of Change

To ensure the well-being of the community, Karlo launched Oplan Kalikasan, an Environmental Protection Program. This initiative, which he began in 2005, focused on engaging the youth in environmental conservation efforts. Scholars were required to participate in tree-planting activities, specifically mangrove tree planting during school breaks. The program also included lectures by environmental experts, encouraging scholars to adopt environmental protection as a personal advocacy and to spread awareness among their peers. Oplan Kalikasan aims to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in the youth, fostering a healthier environment for current and future generations.

Leadership in Transforming Education

Karlo’s dedication to education reflects his deep understanding of its transformative power in society. Since conceptualizing Oplan Kaalam (Knowledge) in 2001, Karlo has been at the forefront of educational advocacy, championing laws and initiatives that ensure access to education for all, particularly the underprivileged.

His vision began taking shape in the 2002-2003 school year when he initiated the sponsorship of 47 students from financially challenged backgrounds, enabling them to pursue higher education – a cornerstone for their future success. This initiative quickly expanded, growing tenfold the following year to support 308 scholars, illustrating the program’s immediate impact and Karlo’s effective leadership.

Under Karlo’s stewardship, the program evolved to support over 33,000 scholars, including those pursuing advanced and technical- vocational degrees. This growth not only reflects the scalability of his initiatives but also his commitment to providing comprehensive educational opportunities that adapt to the changing needs of the economy and the workforce.

Karlo believes that education is the key to personal empowerment and societal development. His approach goes beyond traditional scholarship programs by improving educational infrastructure and increasing access to diverse learning resources. These efforts ensure that students are equipped to succeed in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Reflecting on the impact of education, Karlo has stated, “The first step to empowering our people is through education. We start with the youth, giving them the keys to unlock a better future for themselves and their families.” His commitment extends beyond his term in office, influencing his work in various roles that shape national policies affecting education and youth development.

Through his ongoing advocacy and policy work, Karlo continues to be a pivotal figure in shaping a more inclusive and effective educational landscape in the Philippines. His leadership demonstrates a profound commitment to not only improving educational outcomes but also ensuring that education serves as a foundational pillar for national growth and individual success.

Accessible Healthcare

“Health is wealth” is more than a maxim for Karlo. His commitment to public health transcends conventional approaches, embracing a broader vision that encompasses both immediate medical needs and preventive healthcare. His leadership in various health-centric programs underscores his recognition of a fundamental truth: a healthy populace is pivotal for a nation’s productivity and growth.

Initiated in 2002, his health programs began with a strong foundation laid through partnerships with institutions like the Southern Philippines Medical Center. This collaboration was part of a broader effort to provide critical support to those most vulnerable, offering financial aid for hospital bills and essential medications for indigent patients through the Congressional Medical Assistance Program (CMAP). This initiative ensured that no patient was left behind due to financial constraints, particularly those requiring long-term treatments and emergency care.

Beyond addressing urgent health needs, Karlo has consistently advocated for preventive care to fortify community health. Since 2005, he has been instrumental in organizing medical and dental missions in Davao City, in collaboration with various NGOs, government agencies, and local councils. These missions provide not only treatment but also preventive services that safeguard against the spread of diseases, thereby enhancing overall community wellness.

His commitment to public health advocacy didn’t conclude with his congressional tenure. Moving into broader governmental roles, Karlo served as co-chair and spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and chaired the government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger. These positions placed him at the helm of the Philippines’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing his pivotal role in integrating health strategies with nutritional and food security policies to address and prevent hunger.

Through these multifaceted roles, Karlo has developed and implemented comprehensive strategies that tackle both the symptoms and the underlying causes of health crises. His holistic approach combines acute treatment with preventative care and nutritional support, ensuring the initiatives under his leadership contribute to building a more resilient and healthier society. His efforts underscore a legacy of continuous commitment to enhancing public health and well-being across the nation.

Illuminating Lives

A crucial aspect of fostering a healthy community is ensuring that sound infrastructure is in place. Recognizing this need, Karlo initiated Oplan Kahayag (Light), a Community Electrification Assistance Program, in partnership with the Davao Light and Power Company. Despite Davao’s status as one of the country’s most progressive cities, there were still remote areas without access to electrical power.

Under this program, then Congressman Karlo identified communities that can be linked to access roads, enabling Davao Light trucks to install electrical posts efficiently. This initiative not only expanded access to electricity but also played a crucial role in preventing illegal tapping, which posed significant safety hazards such as accidents and fire risks. Oplan Kahayag exemplified Karlo Nograles’ commitment to enhancing infrastructure and improving the quality of life in communities, especially in underserved areas.

Creating Livelihood

Karlo also believes that people equipped with proper skills have a better chance of creating livelihood to support their families and become productive community members. He initiated Oplan Kabuhayan, a Livelihood Training and Support Program that promotes the idea that human resources are the nation’s greatest asset.

In 2001, he organized a large-scale skills training program in his district. He enlisted the assistance of TESDA and the World Class Training Center for the Nograles Culinary Training Program.

Karlo also initiated a community-based skills training program to provide hands-on training directly at the barangay level. He brought trainers and equipment to communities, ensuring that those unable to commute to downtown training centers could access livelihood programs such as meat processing, fish processing, handicraft-making, fishnet-making, basic steel fabrication and welding, basic carpentry, guitar-making, and basic motorcycle mechanics and repair.

Karlo ensured that the training programs were relevant, and that they addressed market needs. Hence, in 2007, he organized a school-based training program on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) due to high demand both domestically and internationally. He partnered with the Korea-Philippines Vocational Training Center and the TESDA Provincial Training Center to train 142 scholars in GMAW. In addition to free tuition, these scholars received transportation allowances as an incentive to complete the program.

For these efforts, TESDA recognized Karlo’s “invaluable support to technical education and skills development” by awarding him the Regional Kabalikat Award for Region XI in 2013 and 2015.

However, providing skills training wasn’t enough for him. Karlo also wanted to foster entrepreneurial spirit, and to this end, he created the Kaunlaran Program, offering seed capital for individuals to start their own livelihoods.

Since 2005, he has organized job fairs that bring companies to the barangays in his district. These job fairs, held in collaboration with the DOLE and TESDA offices in the region, began with an event at SM City Davao, where 2,800 job seekers attended and 48 companies and recruitment agencies participated. To this day, the Oplan Kabuhayan Jobs Fair remains a much-anticipated annual event for job seekers in Davao City and the Davao Region.

Concurrent to his role as the Cabinet Secretary, Karlo was designated as the Chairperson of the IATF-ZH, and he led the crafting of the benchmark document called the National Food Policy, which aims to address hunger and related issues in a comprehensive manner. It outlines national priorities and provides a roadmap for achieving zero hunger, considering existing laws and international obligations. The NFP includes initiatives for ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. Committed to eradicating hunger and malnutrition, Karlo is also instrumental in expanding the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) Program into an enhanced version called EPAHP Program. This program’s ingenious mechanism enables government agencies to create a direct link between farmers and fisherfolks and the different institutional markets, including the government’s different feeding programs.

Through EPAHP Program, the government has eliminated the middlemen in the transportation of these agricultural products, thus allowing our beloved farmers and fisherfolks to earn more. Therefore, securing their income lets them put more decent and healthy food on their table.

Karlo played a crucial role in emphasizing the significance of teacher quality on a national scale. Building on his predecessor’s initiatives and following the President’s 2017 directive to launch a “national effort for quality basic education,” he led and expanded the Technical Working Group for Teacher Quality (TWG-TQ). This group was instrumental in amending Republic Act No. 7784, the Teacher Education Council Act of 1994, into Republic Act No. 11713 or the Excellence in Teacher Education Act. This landmark education reform policy aims to revitalize and strengthen the Teacher Education Council and enhance the quality of teachers and school leaders at all career stages.

Empowering Youth and Building Future

Believing that a healthy body is as important as a fit mind, Karlo launched the Oplan Kamao Sports Program to organize activities for the youth, especially those living in depressed communities. His Congressional Office sponsored trophies, cash prizes, and equipment for various barangay sports tournaments, including basketball, volleyball, and chess.

Inspired by the popularity of boxing icon and former Senator Manny Pacquiao, Karlo likewise organized the “Oplan Kamao ng Kabataan: The Search for Junior Pacman” Inter-Barangay Boxing Tournament in Davao City in 2006 and 2007 to bring boxing to the grassroots level. The tournament quickly became a hit among youth aspiring to emulate their boxing idol.

Karlo was also involved in pinpointing suitable locations for the construction of basketball courts and covered courts. Today, most community open spaces in his district boast their own multipurpose courts, meeting the sports needs of the youth.

Going the extra mile, he equipped them with fundamental welding skills, enabling them to craft their own basketball goals and boards and craft other sports related equipment. Youth organizations seeking basketball courts can participate in a skills training workshop to learn how to fabricate steel basketball goals for their community. Additionally, they received a TESDA training certificate, which helped to enhance their job prospects.

Navigating the Path to Progress

In 2022, Karlo assumed the role of Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), a position he considers a privilege. He is dedicated to leading the CSC towards becoming the leader in empowering individuals and organizations in Human Resource and Organizational Development, and in providing streamlined and digitalized public services. His dedication extends to modernizing service delivery through digitalization and ensuring that the government workforce is equipped with the necessary skills such as digital competency.

Karlo actively collaborates with stakeholders from the government, private sector, and international and development partners to advance the digitalization of CSC programs and services. Under his leadership, the CSC obtained technical assistance in the form of a grant from the Asian Development Bank, marking a significant achievement for the organization’s digital transformation. He is currently leading the development of a project, pending approval from the NEDA Board, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of HR and payroll management in 38 pilot government agencies, with the CSC as the lead executing agency.

As Head of the CSC, he concurrently serves as ex officio Chairman of the Scientific Career Council (SCC), the Public Sector Labor-Management Council (PSLMC) and member of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), and the Constitutional Fiscal Autonomy Group (CFAG). He is also elected Chairperson of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB), and Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Development Academy of the Philippines.

In 2023, Karlo was appointed as the inaugural Chairperson of the Asia Public Service Network (APSN), an organization of civil service leaders and senior officials from the Asian region who will serve as the bridge to the Organization for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) community, to facilitate the sharing of reform experiences, best practices and common opportunities to shape the future of public service delivery across the region.

This guiding principle has been the driving force behind Karlo’s life and government career, inspiring him to make a positive impact on those around him.

All his accomplishments are an embodiment of this belief through his dedication to uplifting communities, promoting sustainability, and advocating for those in need. Karlo’s journey is a testament to the profound difference one can make by living a life of service and compassion.