Captured moment from the campaign trail, where every interaction helps bridge the gap between public service and community needs.
In the shadow of the Sierra Madre mountains, where volcanic lahar once flowed and sea turtles still nest along pristine shores, San Narciso is undergoing a quiet revolution. At its helm stands Mayor La Rainne Abad-Sarmiento, DPA, whose journey from student activist to environmental champion to transformative local leader reads like a masterclass in purpose-driven governance. Under her watch, this once “sleepy” Zambales municipality is awakening to new possibilities, blending ecological consciousness with ambitious development goals that could make it the province’s next economic powerhouse.
The local PWD assistance program’s wheelchair distribution initiative brought independence and dignity to community members, shown here with one of its grateful beneficiaries
From Campus Crusader to Environmental Guardian
“I was an activist during my student days in the ’70s at the University of the Philippines. As ‘Iskolar ng Bayan’ in the state university, we believed we have to pay the people back,” Mayor Abad-Sarmiento shares in an exclusive interview with the Asian Journal. This early commitment to public service, forged in the crucible of student activism, would later shape her unique approach to governance and community development.
The 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption marked a pivotal turn in her journey. While others saw devastation, she discovered opportunity among the Ayta communities of Botolan, Zambales.
“The Aytas introduced our team to indigenous knowledge about native trees. I was amazed at their rich culture and way of passing on knowledge to the next generation about various forest plants and animals. That started my fascination and commitment to environment issues,” she recalls. This experience would eventually inspire her to complete her Anthropology degree and lay the groundwork for her future environmental initiatives.
Building Bridges Between Nature and Progress
In 2001, Abad-Sarmiento channeled her environmental passion into action by co-founding KaTimpuyog Zambales, an NGO that would become a catalyst for local environmental education and conservation. The organization’s early focus on solid waste management and tree planting programs demonstrated her ability to translate environmental consciousness into practical community action.
Perhaps her most iconic achievement came in 2011 with the launch of a pioneering pawikan conservation program. “Katimpuyog Zambales started a project about pawikan conservation in partnership with various government agencies and a group of fisherfolks who were former sea turtle poachers now turned protectors. We called them Pawikan Rangers,” she explains. The program’s success – transforming former poachers into environmental stewards – showcased her talent for finding win-win solutions that benefit both nature and the community.
Joining forces with Bishop Conrado De Guzman of the Zambales Diocese (Iglesia Filipina Independiente) during a meaningful sea turtle conservation effort, releasing newly hatched pawikan back to their ocean home.
A Mayor’s Mission: Beyond Traditional Governance
The transition from environmental advocate to municipal leader came in 2016, driven by a vision to revolutionize local governance. “I was determined to create three Ds in our municipality: direction, development orientation, and dynamic leadership,” Mayor Abad-Sarmiento emphasizes. “Leaders should not simply be contented with what we have. We need to be resourceful and forward-looking.”
Her administration’s track record speaks volumes: new public market buildings, modernized health center, solar-powered street lights across all barangays, and a comprehensive CCTV network that has dramatically improved public safety. But it’s her approach to leadership – what she calls the “Three Ps”: Purpose-driven with Positive mindset, People’s Participation, and Patient and Persevering – that truly sets her apart.
Reimagining San Narciso’s Future
Today, Mayor Abad-Sarmiento stands at the threshold of her most ambitious project yet: a 6-hectare township development that promises to reshape San Narciso’s landscape and economy. “The envisioned project for a housing complex, in partnership with DHSUD, will attract more government personnel and young couples who aspire to own their own homes,” she shares. The development aims to create a self-sustaining community where residential areas seamlessly blend with commercial spaces, all while maintaining the town’s cultural identity.
Cultural preservation remains a cornerstone of her vision, with the town’s Tumba-tumba Festival, Ran-raniag ti Pascua, and Pawikan Festival drawing visitors from across the Philippines. These celebrations have become more than tourist attractions; they’re vibrant expressions of San Narciso’s living heritage.
An inspiring gathering of Zambales’ women mayors demonstrates the province’s progressive governance. From left: Mayor Arsenia Lim of Masinloc, bringing her experience to the coastal municipality; Mayor Connie Marty, leading the way in Sta. Cruz; myself; and Mayor Irene Binan, serving the people of Iba with dedication.
Innovation Meets Tradition
Looking ahead, Mayor Abad-Sarmiento’s plans reveal an ambitious blueprint for San Narciso’s future. A visual and performing arts center, a hub for academic excellence, and expanded renewable energy initiatives are all in the works. “We see the need to balance development while ensuring the ecological integrity and cleanliness of our natural resources: mountains, water, soil, and coastal wealth,” she emphasizes.
Her administration is also breaking new ground in public-private partnerships, working with institutions like the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy to create employment opportunities for locals while attracting new residents to the municipality.
A meaningful encounter with the young leaders of the Ayta indigenous community, joined by Congressional Representative Doris ‘Nanay Bing’ Maniquiz of the 2nd District and Vice Mayor Lance Ritual, highlighting our commitment to inclusive governance.
Legacy in Progress
As San Narciso continues its transformation from a quiet coastal town to a dynamic municipal hub, Mayor La Rainne Abad-Sarmiento’s leadership offers valuable lessons in sustainable development. Her ability to balance progress with preservation, merge environmental consciousness with economic growth, and maintain cultural authenticity while embracing modernization provides a compelling model for local governance in the 21st century.
Through her unique blend of activist spirit, environmental stewardship, and progressive leadership, Mayor Abad-Sarmiento is crafting more than just infrastructure – she’s building a legacy that could reshape how we think about sustainable municipal development in the Philippines. As San Narciso rises from its sleepy past to embrace a vibrant future, it stands as testament to what purposeful leadership can achieve when vision meets action.
