Personal Profile of GOV. LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE
Province of Camarines Sur

Date of Birth: August 29
Place of Birth: Naga City
Spouse: Nelly Favis
Children: Mariano III, Mylene, Lalaine, Marita, L-Ray, Lori-Liza
Address: Provincial Capitol, Pili, Camarines Sur
Contact Nos.: (054) 477-3170; Telefax (054) 475-7819



When it comes to the political leadership of Camarines Sur, Governor Luis Villafuerte comes to mind for having become a legend in public service and local governance. His first big stint came in 1978 when he was called to serve as Assemblyman of the Batasang Pambansa until 1986. From 1979 to 1982, he was appointed Minister of Trade in a concurrent capacity. Then came his long years of service as Governor; the first wave was from 1986 to 1995, the second from 1995 to the present.

Governor Villafuerte figures prominently in the area of legislative reform and policy advocacy. He was chairperson of the League of Provinces for nearly as long as its lifespan. He frequented the halls of Congress along with fellow-advocates to push for amendments to the Code. He guested national conferences and multi-media channels to air salient LGU issues. As incumbent local chief executive, his action agenda runs the full range of the developmental spectrum, from environmental initiatives to infrastructure, from socialized housing to sports development. Beyond these, he visualizes Philippine LGUs as self-reliant and sustainable organizations, corporate in outcomes without losing public essences.

These exposures culminated in the publication of books on business, investment banking and Bangko Sentral export and import regulations. He has attended special foreign training programs. He trained with the US Treasury, Securities and Exchange, Federal Mortgage, Federal Housing Administration, the World Bank, and Bankers Trust in the U.S. on subjects covering bonds and securities, real estate syndication, secondary mortgage markets, insurance and state planning. He also visited the International Trade Center in Geneva to observe export promotions.

He was voted TOYM by Philippine Jaycees for his strides in investment banking and international finance. He is listed in the Who's Who of the Financial Leaders of Asia-Pacific. Numerous awards include the Most Outstanding National Businessman award, the Ramon Magsaysay Gold Medal, Carlos Garcia Gold Medal, and the Manuel Roxas Award.