Life’s challenges often shape the strongest leaders, and for Plormelinda Padilla-Olet, her journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and success. From experiencing the harsh realities of displacement and poverty to reaching the heights of leadership in national intelligence, her story is one of courage and triumph.
Phlor, as she is fondly called by her loved ones, was born into an upper-middle-class family in Maguindanao, Mindanao. However, when war broke out in the early 1970s, her family was forced to leave their comfortable life behind and relocate to Pangasinan, their father’s home province. She was only five years old at the time.
It was a difficult adjustment. A once stable and comfortable life quickly turned into one of hardship and uncertainty. Her father worked tirelessly to provide for the family, but despite his efforts, they gradually descended into poverty. Their struggles deepened when her father succumbed to a lingering illness, leaving Phlor just ten years old and her family devastated. With eight children to raise and no source of income, their mother—who had been a full-time housewife—was suddenly thrust into the unfamiliar role of sole provider. Driven by necessity and resilience, her mother courageously learned new skills and took on various jobs to support her children and keep the family afloat.
Despite their financial struggles, all eight siblings excelled academically, consistently finishing as First Honors or Valedictorians in their respective classes. Their mother never missed a school year without proudly pinning medals and ribbons on her children—a testament to their hard work and dedication.
With a fierce determination to rise above their circumstances, Phlor worked her way through college. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting, from the University of the East in Manila in 1988. To support herself, she took on various jobs, from laundry services to research work and even ghostwriting love letters for her classmates in exchange for snacks.
Upon graduation, she was immediately employed as a Research Analyst in the Intelligence Division of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City. However, she sought career growth and stability, leading her to transfer to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in 1991. There, she steadily climbed the ranks, building a distinguished career in intelligence and public service.
Her career reached new heights in November 2021 when she was appointed as the Regional Director of NICA’s Regional Office 2 in Cagayan Valley. Though it was her first directorial post, she quickly proved her competence, leading her office to achieve multiple awards and commendations.
Her appointment to the directorial role was particularly significant in a field largely dominated by men. Yet, RD Olet stood out—not only by fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to her but by exceeding expectations and setting new standards of excellence. Through her exceptional leadership, RD Olet has received numerous accolades, both within her agency and from various public and private partner organizations.
Since assuming office, RD Olet has played a crucial role in strengthening intelligence operations and counter-insurgency efforts in the region. As chair of the SAKM Cluster of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), she spearheaded extensive information campaigns warning students, teachers, and community leaders about deceptive recruitment schemes of the CPP-NPA-NDF. Her efforts successfully thwarted the ‘Project Arapaap’ recruitment drive, preventing young people from being drawn into insurgent groups.
Recognizing the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration, RD Olet initiated deradicalization programs for former rebels (FRs). She coordinated with government agencies to establish organizations such as KAPPIA, SAMBAYANAN-Cagayan Valley, and Cagayan Alliance for Peace and Development (CAPD). These organizations, composed of former rebels and peasant leaders, have since received government aid, skills training, and livelihood support, helping them reintegrate into society.
Through Serbisyo Caravans, she brought essential government services to conflict-affected and marginalized communities in remote areas of Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya. These caravans provided medical aid, agricultural support, legal assistance, and livelihood opportunities to residents who had long felt neglected.
Under her leadership, several provinces and municipalities in Cagayan Valley have been declared insurgency-free or in a state of stable internal peace and security, including the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, various municipalities in Isabela, and Santiago City.
RD Olet’s journey from hardship to success is a powerful story of resilience, service, and leadership. Her dedication to national security, counter-insurgency, and community empowerment has earned her not only professional recognition but also the deep respect of the communities she serves.
Through unwavering determination and an unyielding commitment to public service, Plormelinda P. Olet has transformed challenges into opportunities, proving that no obstacle is insurmountable for those who dare to dream and work hard to achieve success. Her story stands as a testament that leadership knows no status, no gender—only passion, integrity, and the courage to rise and serve. (ALM/PIA Region 2)
