“Big things start from small beginnings.” This quote could easily define the story of New Lucena, a modest agricultural town in Iloilo, as it continues to flourish under the leadership of Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville, in partnership with SEA Inc.’s groundbreaking programs.

Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville, fondly known as “Inday Liecel,” is a powerhouse of passion and dedication. As a three-termer, multi-awarded Municipal Mayor of New Lucena (2007–2016, 2019–present), she champions transparency and good governance. Under her leadership, New Lucena earned Hall of Fame awards in Seal of Good Local Governance, Child-Friendly Municipality, Nutrition Program Excellence, and more.

In 2016, she shifted gears to serve as Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member for Iloilo’s Second District, authoring 17 ordinances and spearheading initiatives for health, social welfare, and PWDs.

Beyond her local duties, she advocates for smoke-free cities as SCAN VP for the Visayas and promotes organic farming through ESSA. Inday Liecel’s leadership is as inspiring as it is impactful!

Four years ago, when SEA Inc. first introduced its Integrated Participatory Accountability and Transparency towards Sustainable Integrated Area Development (IPAT-SIAD) program, Mayor Liecel saw its potential for their farming community. “As an agricultural town, we needed a program that empowers our farmers towards sustainable farming,” she shared. She didn’t expect the profound impact IPAT-SIAD would have beyond agriculture, especially through its Inner Conditioning Workshop (ICW).

A Journey to Inner Transformation

In 2023, Mayor Liecel participated in the ICW held in Angat, Bulacan. “It was life-changing,” she recalled, smiling. The workshop taught her to reflect on her higher self and discover untapped potential within. “I realized that true development begins by nurturing people. When we nurture the human spirit, we nurture the entire community.”

One of Mayor Liecel’s proudest achievements is the active involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in New Lucena’s governance. “Strengthened CSOs have become our partners, not just spectators,” she said. These collaborations have earned the town the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for several consecutive years.

The SGLG, awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), is the gold standard for excellence in local governance. It evaluates LGUs on financial stewardship, disaster preparedness, social protection, and more. For New Lucena, it’s more than a trophy; it’s a testament to their collective dedication. “It shows that even a small town like ours can lead by example,” Mayor Liecel remarked.

But the success doesn’t stop at the municipal level. The Barangay Bololacao, which is the pilot area for IPAT-SIAD, has been awarded the SGLG Award for a Barangay Level,

Small Town, Big Dreams

“Good governance is not about telling people what to do; it’s about guiding them to discover their creative potential,” Mayor Liecel emphasized. Under her leadership, New Lucena has become a town that invests not just in infrastructure but in its people.

As the New Lucena hymn proudly declares, “Maalam, Mapisan, and Mabuot”—Wise, Diligent, and Kind—New Lucenanhons are always as one. 

“Big things start from small beginnings,” she concluded. “And in New Lucena, we’re proving that with the right mindset, even the smallest town can dream—and achieve—big.”