Saturday, July 26, 2008 From street laborer to regional director By Joy Romares-Sevilla
POVERTY is not a problem and a hindrance to success. This statement could best describe the experiences of George Campeon, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and aquatic Resources (Bfar) in Southern Mindanao.
Campeon, 57, father of four, and native of Camiguin Province, completed his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of Mindanao in 1976. He also attended the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro and the University of the Philippines (UP) school of Economics for two years as a recipient of a special scholarship.
"I attended different universities. I studied in places where I used to work. Three years before I graduated, I started to work as a street laborer/construction worker at the Bureau of Public Works," says Campeon, who was the eldest among 10 siblings.
He said that as the eldest, he took the responsibility of helping his parents send all his brothers and sisters to school and until they landed jobs.
Campeon, whose passion is carpentry, shared that he wanted to be a lawyer, but landed as an economist at the Bfar in 1979. His best experience was when he was assigned as a municipal agricultural officer in Lake Sebu for six years.
"That was the most challenging and best experience I had. It was my first time to serve people in a totally different environment. It was a challenge because I was away from my family and I attended to the needs of people whom I considered totally strangers, but I managed to be with them for six years and I am proud that I have served them to the best of my ability," he said.
Being a boss, Campeon said he treats his office as his home and his staff his family. He tries to guide his staff and he is open for consultation.
"I do not decide things by the way I feel. I try to consult the rank and file, I gather information and I try to weigh things before I decide. Some mistook for being strict. I am strict and disciplinarian in the sense that I want to produce the results as expected. I am the kind of boss who can easily go down to the level of the lowest position because I had been there and I know the experience of how to deal with my boss," Campeon disclosed.
As a top official of a government agency, he said he was able to develop himself, meet more friends in high levels of the government, and go to places where he does not usually go, like abroad.
"When you're in a top position, it widens your understanding on how to develop yourself more. You have the chance to preside meetings, you can easily implement programs, and economically, you can support your family and you are able to buy things that you need," he said.
But sometimes, being on the top position is challenging since there are some people who covet what you have.
Meanwhile, aside from implementing the programs and projects of the national government, Campeon said he has implemented his own initiatives. He initiated the development and improvement of the Bfar regional office, claiming that Region 11 has the best office and facilities nationwide.
"I initiated the establishment of the gymnasium inside the Bfar compound. It is not exclusive for Bfar's use, but it is also open to those who want to conduct activities and events for the community," he shared.
Asked what other plans he has in mind, Campeon said he wants to focus on the improvement of the region's aquaculture industry.
"I want to improve our mariculture parks and freshwater fishpens because these will help us a lot. Fish capture would not give us sufficient fish supply," he said.
Campeon also actively supports fisherfolk in the region by implementing the government's mitigation program.
The program includes the free distribution of fishing gears and paraphernalia to the identified poor municipalities in the region.
"We are happy that our first distribution of fishing gears last year has helped a lot of fisherfolk in San Isidro, Tarragona, and Boston in Davao Oriental. Many testified and claimed that they had a better livelihood since they were identified as our beneficiaries," Campeon noted.
Campeon said he also wants to try politics to serve people in his hometown when he retires from work at 60 or 62.
"I think I have the advantage, I am a government servant for several years and I have dealt with different politicians and even studied the life of a politician," he said.
He believes that serving the people even if he's no longer a career executive is the most important thing. By this, he can share his expertise and knowledge with those who need his true and genuine services.
