Gabrielle Venus Calizo-Quimpo

Category: Significant Personality

District of Balete

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Date of Birth: March 24, 1954
Prominence: Public Service/Politics
Birth Place: Balete, Aklan
Age: 69

II. BIOGRAPHY

Gabrielle Venus Calizo-Quimpo is the 5th child of the late Mayor Teodoro Feliciano Calizo, Sr. and Luz Laurente Venus-Calizo. She has 4 brothers namely Adriano V. Calizo+, Teodoro V. Calizo, Jr. Carlos V. Calizo, and Bartolome V. Calizo, Noemi V. Calizo-Cordero, and Modesta V. Calizo-Ines her 2 sisters.

Educational Attainment
Elementary: Balete Elementary School, 1960-1966
High School: Aklan College, 1966 -1970
College/Post Graduate:

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, College of the Holy Spirit (Manila),1970-1974, Passed Government Licensure Examination for Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1975
• Special Course in Hotel & Restaurant Management, Universal Institute of Tourism (Manila), 1975
• Master in Governance and Development Legislation, Development Academy of the Philippines- 2010-2012
• Attended numerous courses/trainings in Governance and Development Legislation (University of Asia and the Pacific, National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Asian Institute of Management, Ateneo School of Government, National University of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy etc.), Business Management and Marketing Conferences.

Gabrielle Laurente Venus Calizo-Quimpo was 1st Woman Representative of the Lone District of Aklan to the Philippine House of Representatives (12th Congress 2001-2004) Funded the reconstruction of the former Eskwelahan it Hari in the capital town of Kalibo in 2002, preserving as much of its original architecture and interior finishes true to the era when it was originally built. The reconstruction was under the close supervision of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. It now houses the Museo It Akean. She continued to support the operations of the museum throughout her incumbency as Congresswoman (2001-2004) and Vice Governor of Aklan (2007-2016 /3 terms).

Fully funded the reconstruction of the Gil Mijares building, a heritage edifice in the Municipality of Kalibo which formerly housed the Regional Trial Court of Aklan and in later years housed the Kalibo Philippine National Police. The original plastered exterior walls were preserved but stripped of the cement plaster to expose the original red brick walls to match the newly renovated John the Baptist Cathedral across the town plaza whose plastered walls were also stripped of its cement plaster to expose its original red brick walls, a beautiful feature of the architecture of that era. The design of the original Machuca tiles used as flooring for the building was replicated by the same manufacturing company of the tiles to compliment the old part of the building. The building was intended to house the Philippine National Police Kalibo station in its entire ground floor, municipal library and special museum of wining costumes of the Ati-atihan festival through the years on the 2nd floor. Beautiful chandeliers reflective of the era when the building was built were especially selected to adorn the different rooms. To this day after another renovation of the damage caused by typhoon Yolanda, the Gil Mijares building still stands tall as a remarkably beautiful heritage building surrounding the town plaza or Pastrana Park of Kalibo together with the equally beautiful heritage buildings of the Eskwelahan it Hari now Museo It Akean and the St. John the Baptist Cathedral.

Conceptualized and relentlessly solicited the support of the members of the Provincial Board and the Governor to provide the necessary funds to construct a new and appropriate building to house the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan building was inaugurated in 2017, providing the legislative branch proper offices and facilities, equipment and manpower compliment to be able to deliver fast and efficient service to the people of Aklan. Since then, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Aklan is a source of pride for the province as it is considered to be a well-planned and organized offices. Sangguniang Panlalawigan hosted many benchmarking tours of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members and employees from different provinces. Its exterior garden became a favorite attraction and photoshoot venue for the locals.

In her desire to bring Sangguniang Panlalawigan Aklan to a high standard of service, true to its Citizens Charter, high morale, healthy work attitude and high ethical standards to its employees embarked on a series of trainings for the staff and applied for ISO Accreditation. Sangguniang Panlalawigan Aklan proudly received its 1st International Organization for Standardization Certification 9001-2008 in February 17, 2017. the 1st Sangguniang Panlalawigan in Region 6 and 1 of only 6 International Organization for Standardization Certified Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s in the entire country. Sangguniang Panlalawigan Aklan generously shares its well-established systems and best practices with other provinces.

2019 Champion in Excellence in Local Legislation, Province Category, Best Practice entry "Legislative Quiz Bee”,
2021 Champion in Excellence in Local Legislation, Province Category, Best Practice entry “PLAn COVID-19: Prompt Legislative Actions for COVID-19 Response”,
2022 Champion in Excellence in Local Legislation, Province Category, Best Practice "Lehislatura Para sa Agrikultura: Protecting Aklan's Agricultural Sector through Legislation”.

2017 Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan Information Unit, Best performing offices (five) of Western Visayas. The only Local Government Unit information office in the region to be conferred such award. Awarded by Philippine Information Agency.

2022 Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan Information Unit, Best performing offices (five) in the Western Visayas. The only Sanggunian to be given such recognition.

Even after her 3 terms as Vice Governor did not stop to dream big for her province. In her capacity as Consultant to the Governor on Tourism and Trade, she was determined to pursue a strong economic plan for the province by sourcing outside funds to build the Aklan Tourism and Trade Investment Promotions Center (ATTIPC). With her unrelenting efforts she was able to solicit the generous support of Senator Loren Legarda to fully fund now nearing completion. The Aklan Tourism and Trade Investment Promotions (ATTIPC) will serve as a one-stop shop for Tourism and Trade investors.

Aklan Tourism and Trade Investment Promotions Center will house the Provincial tourism office, trade office, Tech for Ed Center and Aklan Information, Communication and Technology Council Office. Aklan Tourism and Trade Investment Promotions Center is complemented with a state-of-the-art audio-visual room, a function hall, spacious lobbies that will double up as exhibition halls for Aklan products and 2 meeting rooms for investors to conduct their meetings and interview applicant workers.

Billie joined Soroptimist International of Kalibo in August 19, 2000. Became its President for Biennium 2008-2010. During her term, Soroptimist International of Kalibo was incorporated and registered with as Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as accredited by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan as a bonafide Non-Government Organization in the province which qualified Soroptimist International of Kalibo to partner and receive financial assistance from government for Soroptimist International of Kalibo projects in line with government's thrust and compliant with the Commission on Audit's Standard Accounting and Auditing Rules.

Since then, Soroptimist International of Kalibo became a financially viable organization as it was able to source grants/donations from Soroptimist International of the Americas, Provincial and Local Government Units of Aklan, private Foundations, Organizations of Filipinos/Aklanons abroad, and most importantly, because of its official status as Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) registered and Sangguniang Panlalawigan accredited organization with yearly Audited Financial Statements, the Soroptimist International of Kalibo gained the trust and confidence of the general public and of the different sources of funding and material donations.

Billie became the District Director for Western Visayas, (Soroptimist International of Bacolod, Soroptimist International of Iloilo, Soroptimist International of Kalibo, Soroptimist International of Metro Bago, Soroptimist International of Silay) Biennium 2014- 2016. Governor of Soroptimist International of the Americas Philippines Region -2020-2022 Immediate Past Governor of Soroptimist International of the Americas Philippines Region and member of the Region Board -2022-2024. Federation Director of Soroptimist International of the Americas– 2023-2025.

Billie is an Awardee of Mariquita S. Castelo Centennial Leadership Award in 2013.

• Outstanding Women in Public Service,2008, by Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region
• Outstanding Women Leaders, 2007, by Provincial Gender and Development Council Aklan
• Women Achievers of Aklan, 2006, by Soroptimist International of Kalibo.

Billie's Management and Marketing skills was honed by her extensive experience in the corporate arena, at the Century Park Sheraton Hotel for 11 years where she rose to become Assistant Director for Sales and Marketing, in Travel and Tour Operations business as President of Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Incorporated, President, Cruise and Hotel Center, Incorporated, President, Vacanze International Travel and Tours, Incorporated. Director, Bohol Travel and Tours, Incorporated and Director, Palawan Travel and Tours, Incorporated.

A recognized and respected leader of the Philippine tourism industry and recipient of numerous national and local Tourism Awards.

• Outstanding Women in Tourism, 2000, by Women In Travel-Manila
• Regional Tourism Excellence Award, Western Visayas, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2007, by Department of Tourism

Billie' s public service record spans more than 2 decades as;

• Senior Provincial Board member, Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan from 1998-2001
• 1st Congresswoman, of the Lone District of Aklan - 2001-2004
• Vice Governor of Aklan for 3 terms 2007-2016
• Billie was National Treasurer of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines for 2 terms 2010-2013 and 2014-2016
• Member of the Board of the National Information and Communications Technology Council Confederation of the Philippines-2019-2020

Currently she is;

• Consultant to the Governor of Aklan on Trade & Tourism
• Executive Director of the Aklan Information & Communications Technology Council
• Chairman of the Board of Metro Kalibo Water District - 2022-2029
• Federation Director of Soroptimist International of the Americas - 2023-2025

Billie is married to Atty. Reynaldo Mijares-Quimpo, Incumbent Vice Governor of Aklan & has 5 step children, Kristine, Katrina, Karen, Miguel & Carlos.

III. SIGNIFICANCE

Aesthetic

• Conceptualized and funded the construction of Mayor Federico O. Icamina Park at Bliss Site, Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan in 2001 -Fund Source: Priority Development Assistance Fund
  
• Beautified the D. Maagma St. in the Municipality of Kalibo by constructing an Island plant box with street lights.
• Built the 1st Public Toilets in the town plaza of the Municipality of Kalibo in 2002 - Fund Source: Priority Development Assistance Fund
• Installed Spanish inspired street lights at Roxas Avenue, a main thoroughfare of Kalibo and in the historical bridge connecting the Municipalities of Kalibo and Numancia in 2002 - Fund Source: PDAF
• Developed the Town Plaza of the Municipality of Balete in 2001 - Fund Source: Priority Development Assistance Fund
• Funded the development and beautification of the plaza of Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan in 2003 - Fund Source: PDAF
• Introduced the used of paving blocks instead of cement in constructing the secondary roads of Boracay Island for practical and esthetic purposes in 2003 - Fund Source: Priority Development Assistance Fund

Scientific

• Allocated funds for the tissue culture of banana lakatan variety at Aklan State University in 2002 - Fund Source: Priority Development Assistance Fund
• Allocated funds for the research and development of Piña weaving looms from the traditional 30 inches to 60 inches through the Association of Piña weavers in 2003 - Fund Source: Priority Development Assistance Fund
• Allocated funds for the proper planting and propagation of local bamboo varieties as well as the introduction of giant bamboos in Aklan through the auspices of DOST in 2003 - Fund Source: Priority Development Assistance Fund
• Allocated funds for the implementation of green houses in several towns for growing of high value crops such as salad vegetables, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, etc. in 2002 - Fund Source: Priority Development Assistance Fund

Socio Economic

• Allocated funds for financial support to various cooperatives engage in agriculture (farmers, fisherfolk, hog raisers, poultry, etc.), handicrafts, microlending, micro, small and medium enterprises through their respective associations.
• Allocated funds for farm inputs including fertilizers for farmers.
• Lobbied for the construction of irrigation systems by the national government, farm to market roads, bridges and electrification particularly of the interior barangays.
• Allocated funds for the construction of small water impounding systems provincewide.
• An advocate of the digitalization of government services in all 17 Municipalities in Aklan including the Provincial Government thus, working with provincial government in her capacity as Executive Director of Aklan Information Communication Technology Council to realize the banner program banner of the governor dubbed “Digital Aklan 2024”

Socio Political

• Advocated the empowerment of women and girls in the local communities through linkages with various organizations with similar advocacy by conducting dialogues with the women in the barangays and girls in our local schools.
• Organized a local political party to promote a strong party system with a clear vision and a resolute party stand on political issues.
• Through the Soroptimist International organization, worked for the establishment and strengthening of the women and children’s protection desk in all Philippine National Police stations in the province.
• Was co-author on the RA 9262: the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004

Social

• An advocate for the Culture and the Arts to be brought to the countryside by allocating funds to support the development of local artists such as musicians, painters, dancers, craftsmen, construction of museum and art shops.
• Brought to Aklan several concerts such as of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Filipino bass-baritone, Jonathan de la Paz Zaens, Nolyn Cabahug, a Soprano, Neneng Rasgo, an Aklanon Soprano, College of Immaculate Conception Chorale of Cabanatuan City, to name a few.

Spiritual

• Circle Regent of Daughters of Mary Immaculate, Balete, Aklan
• Vicarial Regent, Daughters of Mary Immaculate - Mary the Queen Vicariate (New Washington, Batan, Altavas, Balete)
• The Daughters of Mary Immaculate Five (5) Mission Thrusts

Prolife
Morality in Media
Assistance to Prisoners’ Families and Their Victims
Upliftment of Women Workers
Youth Welfare – Squirettes of Mary
Devotee of Our Lady of Piat, constructed a Groto in Her honor in Poblacion, Balete, Aklan