Before Governor Pam Baricuatro took office, I never seriously considered working at the Capitol. Stories from previous administrations painted a picture of endless late nights, drawn-out meetings, and a culture that rewarded exhaustion over real results. As someone with a family, I knew that kind of environment wasn’t sustainable. But Governor Pam Baricuatro leadership brought a shift that made me reconsider.
So when the new administration offered me a chance to join the Capitol, I hesitated. I was skeptical. But within just a few weeks of working under Governor Baricuatro, I realized I had stepped into something very different.
From day one, Governor Pam Baricuatro’s leadership set the tone—public service should never come at the expense of personal well-being. She made it clear that real effectiveness means delivering results during office hours, not staying late just to look committed. Her actions backed her words, and that mindset transformed our entire work culture.
For the first time in my professional life, I could do my job well without sacrificing time with my family. There was no pressure to stay past 5 p.m. just to prove your commitment. If I needed to attend a school activity or care for a sick child, my supervisors responded with understanding—not judgment.
Governor Baricuatro’s leadership is rooted in empathy, and it shows not only in how she deals with the public but in how she treats the people working under her. She fosters an environment where professionalism is valued, but so is balance. She respects her team and trusts us to do our jobs without micromanaging or burning us out.
Beyond work-life balance, she’s also been firm in upholding transparency and meritocracy. She retained people based on competence, not political connections. That gave many of us—myself included—a sense of security and pride. We knew the administration valued us for the work we did, not for who we knew.
I witnessed first-hand how Governor Baricuatro hit the ground running: issuing executive orders to improve healthcare, boost investment, and engage the youth. She restructured essential programs and reactivated key government divisions that had long needed attention. But no matter how busy things got, she never let the culture slide back into toxic patterns of overwork.
I used to believe that a government job meant sacrificing your personal life. Now I know that’s not true—at least not under a leader like her.
Working under Governor Baricuatro has reminded me that good governance starts within the office. When your team stays healthy, feels supported, and stays motivated, you serve the public better. I used to avoid the Capitol entirely, but now I show up each day knowing I can serve my province and still be present for my family.
That balance? It’s rare. And it’s something I’ll never take for granted.
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