Growing up in a flood-prone barangay in the City of Ilagan, Jesusa Noriega Leal, fondly called “Susie,” knew what it was like to feel helpless during a disaster. With no banca or means of escape, her family, like many others, relied on others for rescue whenever floodwaters rose, often in the dead of night.
As the eldest among nine siblings, Susie witnessed how her father worked tirelessly to keep them safe. Stepping into a leadership role early in life, she cared for her younger siblings while her parents sought help. These harrowing experiences planted in her a deep resolve—to one day help others avoid the fear and vulnerability she grew up with.
But dreams came with obstacles. Her parents, who made ends meet by selling native delicacies, struggled to send her to college. Undeterred, Susie worked as a student assistant at Araullo Evening Vocational School in Manila and completed a Secretarial Course. Driven by a bigger mission, she pursued further studies at the Philippine Normal College, earning a degree in Psychology—again as a working student.
Her career in humanitarian work began at the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Isabela Chapter, where she served for 12 years as a technical staff on disaster preparedness, relief services, and fundraising. She traversed the province, delivering aid and conducting stress debriefing for victims of natural and man-made disasters. Her background in psychology allowed her to offer critical mental health support, especially to vulnerable mothers coping with trauma.
Susie’s vision extended beyond immediate relief—she dreamed of empowered communities where women were first responders, not just victims. Her commitment led to her promotion as Chapter Administrator in Quirino Province, later managing PRC operations in Nueva Vizcaya and Santiago City. Through international partnerships, she brought in support from the Japanese and Spanish Red Cross, launching impactful humanitarian projects.
Under her leadership, PRC Quirino earned the Chapter of the Year Award for multiple years due to its exemplary service and fundraising efforts benefiting the marginalized.
In 2016, Susie broke new ground by joining the Provincial Government of Quirino as head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), a field traditionally dominated by men. Her expertise and passion led to her eventual promotion as Department Head in 2024.
“Being a woman in a male-dominated field has never been a hindrance. In fact, it has been a driving force, a motivation to rise above limitations and prove that leadership knows no gender,” Susie said.
Her tenure has been marked by inclusive, women-focused disaster preparedness programs, integrating climate change adaptation and sustainable development. Among the projects she initiated were Sustainable Agriculture and Economic Programs, Climate Change Mitigation through Forest Restoration, and livelihood programs for hazard-prone barangays, among others.
She also strengthened local capacity through training workshops for PDRRMO personnel and DRRM Council members—anchoring her goal of “zero casualty during disasters.”
Within just a year, her leadership brought national recognition. The province became a consistent Gawad Kalasag awardee, earning distinctions like 1st Runner-Up (2017), Best Provincial Council for Humanitarian Assistance (2018), National Champion for Gawad Kalasag Excellence (2020), and Beyond Compliant Seal and National Awardee (2021 & 2023).
Her office also pushed for critical local policies such as the Zero Waste Ordinance, No Single-Use Plastics Policy, and the Ban on Glyphosate Use—reflecting a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
One of Susie’s most challenging moments came during the COVID-19 pandemic. While managing provincial pandemic response efforts, she and her entire family contracted the virus. Despite this, she continued her duties—organizing logistical operations, leading virtual IATF meetings, transporting supplies and patients, and providing psychosocial support to stranded OFWs and locals in quarantine.
Her resilience shone through. Under her leadership, Quirino remained COVID-free for an entire year, long before neighboring provinces could flatten their curves.
Today, Susie continues to lead one of the most active offices under the “I Love Quirino Caravan,” providing information drives and training on disaster preparedness, especially for women, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens.
Despite her many accolades, including consistent recognition as Most Outstanding Employee and finalist in the National Search for Resilient Women (2023), Susie remains grounded. She attributes her success to her family, especially her husband Wilfredo, whose unwavering support fuels her passion.
From a young girl wading through floodwaters to a woman at the helm of provincial disaster risk management, Susie Leal’s journey is a testament to courage, resilience, and a life devoted to service. Her story is not just about rising above adversity—it’s about transforming challenges into purpose and using that purpose to protect and empower others. (TCB/PIA Quirino)
