𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗶
Board Member Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya has emerged as a distinctive voice in the Cebu Provincial Board, bringing with her the patience of an educator and the resolve of a survivor.
Representing the first district of Cebu, Reluya transitioned from a career as a graduate school teacher to public service, a shift she describes as moving from the classroom’s calm instruction to the high-stakes arena of governance.
As a woman in leadership, she views her role through the lens of service and adaptability, saying that public servants must constantly adjust to meet the evolving needs of the people.
𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀
At the heart of her legislative agenda is the protection of women and children. As chairperson of the Committee on Women, Family, and Minor, Reluya has thrown her full support behind “Balay ni Neneng,” an initiative championed by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro.
She views “Balay ni Neneng” not just as a program, but as a lighthouse for women and children tossed about by the storms of mental, physical and emotional abuse.
Currently drafting a resolution of support, she believes the program’s greatest gift is giving the silenced a voice to cry out and a map showing exactly where the government’s arms are open to receive them.
For Reluya, the importance of “Balay ni Neneng” lies in its ability to teach vulnerable women and children exactly who and where to go for help, ensuring they have a reliable refuge within the government during their darkest moments.
Her work extends beyond social welfare. In the economic sphere, Reluya champions the growth of local businesses and the resilience of the marginalized. Serving on the Economic Enterprise Council, she has authored resolutions supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and pushed for an Investment Incentives Code.
Her vision includes establishing centers for investors to streamline growth while simultaneously providing alternate livelihoods for farmers and fisherfolk to ensure they remain resilient.
Understanding the financial hurdles small owners face, she has advocated for financial literacy programs and led the Provincial Price Monitoring Council to protect constituents from inflation through intensified monitoring and standard pricing.
But perhaps what defines Reluya most is the personal strength and extraordinary experience she brings to public office. A survivor of a 2019 ambush that claimed the life of her husband, she faced not only grief but economic and health setbacks in its wake. Rather than retreat, she remained steadfast, guided by her faith and a sense of purpose.
Her story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, a powerful symbol to prove that leadership, even when forged in tragedy, can become a force for healing and progress.
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