According to Freddy Adu, an American former professional soccer player, it does not matter what size a person is. What matters is how big his or her heart is and how smart he or she is.

Provincial Administrator Carmelita Bustos Jimenez, aka ‘Littlecarms’ who is 5 feet tall, is an exact embodiment of this adage, a petite woman who stands tall in every work she does. 

It was love for her work that brought Jimenez to Quirino Province in 2019. She was at the peak of her career as Supervising Legislative Officer and Acting Committee Secretary in the Committee on Ways and Means at the House of Representatives when then-Representative Dax Cua recruited her to be a member of his administration as the newly elected governor of the province after completing his term as congressman in 2019.

While in Congress, she had the opportunity to work with Cua during the 17th Congress, when he was still a representative and chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means. Cua shepherded the enactment of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, and successfully defended the said legislative measure amidst fine-comb scrutiny, with the unwavering assistance, support, and loyalty of Jimenez, who used to prepare speeches, conduct technical studies, and organize international and local events, which showcased Cua’s exemplary leadership and acuity as a legislator.

Also, she was involved in the crafting of the first verse of another important legislation which is the Trabaho bill, part of the second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program that aims to reduce corporate income tax rates.

These game-changing tax reform programs paved the way for the country’s continued economic growth and fiscal sustainability.

Jimenez also joined the national team in the preparation of the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys, the government's central identification platform for all Filipino citizens and resident aliens of the Philippines.

Cua was impressed by how Jimenez worked both at the Senate and Congress that’s why he asked her if she could help him run the affairs of the provincial government as the provincial administrator.

Brimming with enthusiasm as she assumed her new post as provincial administrator, Jimenez believes that for her to attain her objectives, she needs to take a leap and surmount the hurdles found along the way. Knowing pretty well that life involves a never-ending discovery of challenges, she considers the distinct appointment a milestone in her life.

Upon her assumption of office, she immediately convened the chiefs of offices to ensure that all the different programs and projects were aligned with the mission and vision of the province.

As the current provincial administrator of the provincial government, Jimenez was given a huge task to assist the provincial governor in the attainment of the province’s vision towards the path of agro-industrialization.

She ensures a smooth operation of the day-to-day overall activities of the provincial government by making sure that all programs, projects, and activities are properly implemented.

She also assists the provincial governor in the construction of digital infrastructures, handling the project feasibility study, coordination with the project provider, and planning at the provincial level. 

A very significant accomplishment of Jimenez was leading the Project Management Team for the Quirino Integrated Rural Development Program (QIRDP) Phase II which provided for the establishment of the Cattle Breeding Center and Q-LiFE Processing Center. These two (2) structures are essential components in the complete value-chain formation.

After the successful turnover of the project from the Korean government, Jimenez leads the monitoring team that ensures the sustainability of the project, reviews operations, and recommends ways to further improve the products' quality, and packaging to be able to pass the international standards.

The centers are now providing livelihoods to some 650 farming households in the province thereby contributing to poverty reduction in the province.

Jimenez is also helping the Governor with the Airport Development Project, the water system project, and the Philippine Growth Development Program by coordinating at the national level, organizing meetings, and ensuring that all the needed documents are complete before the Governor meets with stakeholders.

She also heads the provincial team that oversees the compliance of all departments with the 10 Core Governance Areas under the DILG, which leads to the province’s success in attaining its Seal of Good Local Governance.

Furthermore, she assisted the Office of Provincial Accounting and Provincial Treasury to ensure a smooth flow of transactions which resulted in the success of these offices in attaining regional and national awards.

On top of her hectic schedules, Jimenez ensures efficient management and administrative and coordination support to all frontline offices of the provincial government for the effective delivery of basic services.

During the pandemic, when Gov. Cua, the ULAP president, had to work with other local government executives to seek more aid to LGUs, Jimenez served as the worker on the ground who supervised the different committees, presided over regular Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) meetings, worked with the municipal mayors and coordinated with National Task Force and other concerned agencies.

She provided the governor with accurate reports based on her continuous coordination with the IATF, local government units, national government agencies, non-government organizations. 

Fully aware of the enormous responsibility this position entails, she is ready to face the challenges, being equipped with vast experience in government work and relations, endowed with professional work ethics, attuned to a dynamic approach to getting things done, and adept at solving problems.

As an administrator, she is a determined and hardworking public servant, conveying that primordial to the attainment of productivity are discipline and honor and so she expects her colleagues in the provincial government to be true to their sworn duty to serve with dedication and integrity.  

Cognizant of what Quirino has become under the outstanding stewardship of highly respected and well-loved Congressman Junie E. Cua and Governor Dax, she commits to helping the leadership of Quirino accelerate its transition into becoming a first-world province in a third-world country.

Despite her numerous jobs in government, Jimenez never missed her duties as a Bible scholar. On Saturdays, she gathers her friends from different parts of the province and some employees of the PLGU and holds Bible study and prayer meetings.

For her, sharing her gifts is the best way to repay God for her countless blessings.

She is the incumbent chairperson of the Association of Philippine Administrators in Local Government Units (APALGU) in the country.

As the chairperson, she holds regular meetings where the members discuss new updates and policies for their work as administrators. She also initiates various trainings for both newly appointed and incumbent administrators to further equip them with various skills and knowledge to be able to fulfill their sworn duties and responsibilities.

Jimenez is a Bible scholar and she has traveled to several countries such as Egypt, Jerusalem, Babylon, and others to learn more about what was written in the Bible and experience for herself how the people in the biblical countries live.

During weekends when she is free from her numerous responsibilities in the office, she invites employees, pastors, and her friends for a bible study.

She also joined civic organizations such as the Lion’s Club and others to be able to share her time and resources for humanitarian services with the Quirinians. 

Jimenez received various awards at the provincial level such as the Outstanding Constituent/Employee and Outstanding Woman Leader award.

Jimenez is a happy wife to businessman Walter Jimenez, the manager of the family’s Bigwat Trading, a company that supplies ship parts.

They were blessed with three wonderful children, Cordia Walter, Walter Nicholo, and Walter Konrad, who are now professionals and engaged in various businesses and employment. 

A symbol of an empowered and inspiring woman, Jimenez believes that she must spread love, joy, and resilience in the community. # (ALM/TCB/PIA-2, QUIRINO)