Her heart belongs to public service

TO WORK for the common good is the greatest achievement one could never attain without the passion, determination and concern for others.

This is how Atty. Ma. Theresa D. Biongan-Pescadera, acting registrar of the Registry of Deeds (ROD) in Davao City, described her profession.

For Biongan-Pescadera, serving the public will always be on top of her priorities aside from her loved ones.

Born in Midsayap town in North Cotabato, Biongan-Pescadera is a graduate of Law from the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) in 1995. She completed her degree of Bachelor of Arts in English with the same school in 1991.

Biongan-Pescadera said her heart truly belongs to public service ever since she started her secondary education. This, despite the heavy duties on her shoulders as registrar of deeds, she always makes sure that her expression to her passion for public service is whole.

Biongan-Pescadera has been working with the Registry of Deeds since 1997. She started in North Cotabato as deputy until she became a registrar of deeds in Sultan Kudarat in April 2011. She assumed her post in Davao City in December 2012 in an acting capacity.

"I've been into public service. It will always be public service. What vary here is the service I am taking is through land registration authority, that I'm very happy with this kind of career naman," Biongan-Pescadera said.

She considered her career now as dragged by circumstances. She said it was not her first choice, but she loves her career since it is still in line with public service.

"Mahirap din kasi mag private practice as a lawyer lalo na if I didn't grow up in a family of lawyers. I am from humble beginnings. My father is a farmer and my mother is a school teacher. Although my relatives are professionals, I am the first lawyer in the family," Biongan-Pescadera said.

Biongan-Pescadera said even if her career is not that famous like the others, it is a dream come true for her.

"We all know that land is the most common cause of conflict. So, as a registrar of deeds although it may not sound so very prominent kasi sa office lang kami nagtatrabaho. What's important is that we work professionally, honestly and we work for the common good of others," Biongan-Pescadera said.

"My work is actually very important like paggawa ng condominium, dapat magresearch muna kung sino ang may ari ng lupa. Ako naman as registrar, I should be responsible for their concerns. Dili lang kay ingon na mupirma lang ko and mudawat sa akong sweldo. Though ginagmay--organization of their land title, giving the correct information, and handling the archives--dako na kaayo ng butang sa tanan," she added.

Biongan-Pescadera said there is nothing she could ask for, adding that that if there are other opportunities that will her way, she would still like to work in a public service.

"I would like to quote the statement of the first governor of North Cotabato, ‘kung gusto mo talaga ng totoong serbisyo, the best filled is public service.’ Dili man mi taas ug sweldo, but when it comes to our career path, we work with competence. Kung maayo lang imo pagtrabaho, daghan ka naman ug matabangan ni ana," she said.

As head of the office, Biongan-Pescadera treated her officemates equally like in the family wherein she knows everybody. She added that she considered each employee of the Registry of Deeds as important.

Despite her hectic schedule, which sometimes requires her to stay at the office overnight, Biongan-Pescadera said she still finds time for her family, who is presently living in Kidapawan City. She said though things around her seem so tight but she always wakes it a point that everything is well balanced most especially her spiritual life.

"It's always a challenge for me. You have to balance your spiritual, your physical, work, and the life and family you have. But it's alright as long as you know how to pray. It is very important to pray, kasi hindi mo maiisip ang family mo and magagawa yung mga gusto mo kung wala kang prayer life," Biongan-Pescadera said.

At the age of 42, Biongan-Pescadera said she still have lots of things to do materially but those were just materials, and that what matters most is that she is contented with her life. (ICT)