Atty. Franklin Quijano
Even as a child, Franklin had a burning desire: to help the plight of the poor.
Growing in dearth, he met poverty eye to eye.
One childhood experience that burned forever in his memory
was the picture of his playmates (including himself) wearing torn
shirts and shorts. At that tender age, he resolved to help the
poor when he grew up.
Born to Visayan parents, his father being a mechanic and his mother being a public school teacher, Franklin lived a common life. But the lesson that came out of it was nowhere near ordinary, it taught him the noblest of goals and that is giving unselfish service.
Franklin was born October 4, 1955 in Dansalan, which is now Marawi City. He grew up in Lanao and learned to speak Maranao, Ilonggo, Chavacano and Cebuano, fluently.
Little did Franklin know that those childhood experiences, his knowledge of the muslim culture, his intellect and leadership skills would someday become the cornerstones of the dream he hopes to build – to free people from poverty.
Gifted with a sharp mind, he graduated in the elementary as Class Valedictorian, Second Honorable Mention in high school (La Salle-Iligan), and Cum Laude in A.B. Economics (San Carlos University-Cebu). All throughout, he supported himself through scholarships and even sharing half of his stipend to the education of his brothers and sisters. Ever the loving eldest that he is, he saw to it that his brothers and sisters had finished their education first before he got married.
While teaching Economics at San Carlos University in Cebu (the youngest instructor to boot), he studied law as a self-supporting student and even founded the first debating team of the college. With dogged determination, he passed the BAR Exam in 1983.
Now better equipped, and with the zeal to serve still burning deep, he ran for the city council of Iligan in 1988 as an independent candidate (since all parties at that time were not keen on accepting him). Still, he ended up on the number one slot as City Councilor.
At an opportune time (with God’s providence), with virtually no big-time political machinery to back him up, Franklin M. Quijano went against the political giants of the city and won as City Mayor in 1998.
From then on, Franklin’s dream began to unfold. With Mayor Franklin M. Quijano at the helm, the City of Iligan was never the same again. While giving the City a new physical look by his big projects like the Integrated Bus Terminal, Road widening, Overpass, Drainage improvements, et.al., the LGU is learning what public service really is.
Under his term, there were many recipients of urban poor housing than there ever was. Marginalized sectors were organized and federated, and livelihood and agriculture were given attention in greater measure.
Franklin has held several positions before (both, Local and National) during his two terms Mayor of Iligan City.
At the National Level, Franklin is concurrent Chairperson of the GRP Peace Panel for GRP-RPMM (Government of the Republic of the Phil.-Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Mindanao) as well as Chairperson for the JEMC (Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee) of the GRP Peace Agreement with the RPMP-RPA-ABB (Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Bongcayao Brigade) with a rank of Under Secretary.
With his remarkable stewardship, he was further conferred Gantimpalang Panglingkod Poor or Gawad Galing Pook Award by the Galing Pook Foundation and the internationally-coveted KONRAD ADENAUER Medal of Excellence by the the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) of the Federal Republic of Germany on December 5 and 6 2003, respectively.
Franklin is happily married to Salma Theresa Gerona and blessed with five children: Franklin Xerxes, Franklin Yuri, Xyra Theresa, Franklin Ziegric and Yaeli Theresa.
RECENT CITATIONS/AWARDS
- Recipient, Gantimpalang Panglingkod Pook or Gawad Galing Pook Award for IliganCity’s Gawad Kalinga (GK) Missionville Project, Awarded on December 6, 2003
- Recipient, KONRAD ADENAUER Medal of Excellence Awarded on December 5, 2003.
- 2002 Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines Local Government Leadership Award Awarded on October 17, 2002
- Most Outstanding Alumni Award, Awarded by: University of San Carlos, CebuCity (2003)
- Saint La Salle Award of Distinction, Awarded by: La Salle, 2008
POSITIONS ENTRUSTED
- Chairperson and CEO – NCSC ( National Commission of Senior Citizens ) September 2020 to October 2024
- Administrator and Vice Chairman – PHIVIDEC-IA ( Philippine Veterans Investment and Development Corporation – Industrial Authority ) July 17 2017 – September 2020
- Chairperson, CARHIHL Representing Government GRP Peace Negotiating Panel for Talks with CPP-NPA-NDF (2016 -2020)
- Chairperson, JEMC (Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee) implementing the RPMP-RPA-ABB Peace Agreement (2006-present)
- Executive Vice President, League of Cities of the Philippines (2001-2004)
- Executive Vice President, Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors League Presidents of Mindanao (2001-2004)
- Member, National Task Force for the Rehabilitation, Operation and Integration of NSC’s Iligan Steel Plant (2001-2004)
- Elected IliganCity Mayor, 1998-2004
- Chairman, Regional Development Council – Region 12, 1998-2001
- Chairman, Cagayan-Iligan Corridor, 1998-1999
- Member, MEDCO (Mindanao Economic Development Council)
- Chairman, Mindanao-wide Anti-Poverty Eradication Committee
- Chairman, Regional Y2K Preparedness Council
Recent Trainings and Seminars/Workshops Attended (2001-Present)
- Training on Appreciative Inquiry, Dr. David Cooperrider, Case Western Reserve University and Ovationet, Cleveland, Ohio, (April 25-June 8) Spring 2011.
- Resource Person and Participant, Insider Mediators Retreat, BERGHOF FOUNDATION FOR PEACE SUPPORT and Department of Foreign Affairs – Switzerland, June 12-14, 2008, Castle Munchenwiler, Bern, Switzerland.
- Living Peace Intensive Residential Retreat, Bay Area Non Violent Communication (BayNVC), March 7-12, 2008, Santa Cruz, Northern California, Trainor – Miki Kashtan
- Facilitators Training in Open Space Technology – a Method in Organizational Development – Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, USA, Dec 19-23, 2007. Trainor – Lisa Heft
- Training on Restorative Circle. December 8-15 2007, YWCA San Francisco, California, USA, Trainor – Dominic Barter
- June 19-27, 2006 International Peace Summit as well as Global Peace Forum, Victoria, and Vancouver, Canada, as Scholar of the Global Alliance for the Department of Peace
- October 30- Nov 5, 2005, Peace and Development Training, PATRIR, Cluj Napoca, Romania Sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
- June-July 2005, Grassroots Democracy Training, International Visitors Leaderaship Program, sponsored by the United States Government
- September 16-20, 2003 Effective Local Governance: A Workshop for Leaders from Mindanao, RAND Graduate School, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A. (The Asia Foundation & the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
- October-November 2003, Environment Management Training, United Nations Environment Program, Kyoto, Japan
- Aug. 8-9, 2002, 2nd City Development Strategies 2 (CDS2) National Consultation Workshop, Legenda Suites Hotel, Cubi Point, Subic Freemont Zone, Subic, Zambales (League of Cities of the Philippines)
- July 23-26, 2002, Annual Consultative Conference and DSCWM Evaluation Workshop cum 5th Project Advisory Board Meeting, Oasis Hotel, Clarkville, Angeles City (DILG-Philippine Regional Municipal Development Project)
- July 8-11, 2002, 4th Asian Mayor’s Forum and Regional Workshop, Bangkok, Thailand (The Asia Foundation & USAID)
- June 24-28, 2002, Regional Workshop on Promoting Practical Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Approaches in East Asia (World Bank Institute & Intl. Council for Local Environmental Initiatives)
- June 22, 2002, 2nd Mindanao Budget Summit (MBS), EDSA Shangrila Hotel, 1 Gardenway, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City (Mindanao Economic Development Council)
- June10-11, 2002, Poverty Sharing Workshop in East Asia, Singapore (World Bank Institute)
- July 3-5, 2002, Seminar on Total Quality Management for LGUs, Skyline Riverbend Hotel, Marikina City (Development Academy of the Philippines)
- May 29, 2002, Open Conference and Workshop on Good Governance, Makati Shangrila (Governance Advisory Council)
- May 23-24, 2002, 2nd LCP’s City Development Strategies 2 (CDS2) Cluster Consultation for Cities in Visayas & Mindanao, Maria Cristina Hotel (League of Cities of the Philippines)
- May 7-11, 2002 City-to-City Exchange Dialogue on Urban Finance and Transport, Sydney, Australia (League of Cities of the Philippines)
- May 6, 2002, USAID’s Final Design Consultation for the Development of New Assistance Program on Family Planning and Health Services, Drake Room, 42nd Floor, Discovery Suites, 25 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center (Department of Health)
- May 4, 2002, Project Launching Workshop for Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG), AIM Conference Center (The Asia Foundation)
- May 2-3, 2002, LCP’s Workshop on Developing a Local Governance Scorecard Template, AIM Conference Center (League of Cities of the Philippines)
- April 21, 2002, Mindanao CONFED Consultation Meeting and Workshop, Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City (Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors & Municipal Mayors League Presidents of Mindanao)
- April 11, 2002, E-Procurement System Seminar-Workshop, Elena Tower Inn (Department of Budget & Management-Procurement Service Bureau)
- January 14-24, 2002, South Asia Urban and City Management Course, Jaipur, India sponsored by World Bank Institute and Indian National Institute of Public Finance and Policy
- Dec. 5-7, 2001, National Project Development Workshop for the Adaptive Replication of Exemplary Practices in Urban Governance, Holiday Plaza Hotel, Cebu City
- November 29, 2001, MEDCo Consultation Workshop on Mindanao Socio-Economic Agenda, Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City (Mindanao Economic Development Council)
- Nov. 8-9, 2001, Investment Promotions Seminar/Workshop, Elena Tower Inn (Cebu City Investment Promotions Center)
- Nov. 6-7, 2001, LCP Upscaling Poverty-Focused City Development Strategies 2 (CDS2), Century Park Hotel, Manila (League of Cities of the Philippines)
- Oct. 28-30, 2001, Streamlining Regulatory Systems: Anti-Red Tape Seminar/Workshop, Davao City (Mindanao Economic Development Council)
- October 19-20, 2001, Working Conference on Information Technology & Local Governance: Best Practices in the Philippines, Korea & Singapore, Hyatt Regency, Manila
- October 11, 2001, Cluster Mayor’s Forum and Workshop on Asian Devt. Bank’s RETA 5959, Marriott Hotel, Cebu City
- Oct. 9-10, 2001, 1st Phil. Local Governance Congress, Manila Midtown Hotel, Puyat St., Ermita, Manila
- Oct. 8-9, 2001, LCP Consultative Assembly & Policy Advocacy Forum-1, Malacañang Palace & Westin Philippine Plaza (League of Cities of the Philippines)
- August 30-31, 2001, Executive Course on National Security [ECNS], NDCP Honor Hall, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City (National Defense College of the Philippines)
- August 15, 2001, LCP National Vision-to-Action Workshop, Palawan Room, Regus Center, 28F Tower 2, The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Avenue cor. Paseo de Roxas, Makati City (League of Cities of the Philippines)
- March 14-16, 2001, Workshop on ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, Cafe Hermoso (PRMDP & AusAid)
- February 10, 2001, Counter-Corruption Strategies at the Local Level, G/F Yulo Caseroom, Asian Institute of Management Conference Center, Legaspi Village, Makati City (Asian Institute of Management)
MEMBERSHIP IN CIVIC/RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
- Couples for Christ, IliganCity
- Captain, Phil. Coast Guard Auxiliary, 2002
- Director, Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1998
- Secretary, Financial Executives of the Phils. (FINEX), 1998
- Member, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, 1984
- Grand AZZO, AZZO Fraternity
- President, State Scholars Association of the Phils., Cebu Chapter (1975)
- Founder, Gavel Club (USC Debating Society) 1980-1983)
- Member, Iligan Jaycees, Inc.