Creating a mark  in a male-dominated profession

CEBU, Philippines —  Rising from her humble beginnings, Engr. Susan L. Ornopia-Aroa has continued her steady ascent in the upper echelon of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Central Visayas.

Just recently, Ornopia-Aroa was promoted from Engineer III to Engineer IV, making her a full-fledged Assistant District Engineer of Cebu 1st District Engineering Office in DPWH-7.

It's quite a feat for a woman in this male-dominated profession.

She formally took her oath of office before DPWH-7 regional director Ernesto R. Gregorio, Jr. They were joined by DPWH-7 assistant regional director Danilo Villa Jr., Cebu 1st DEO District Engineer Elvis G. Calunod, and Representative Janice Z. Salimbangon of Cebu's 4th District.

"I'm overwhelmed and floating in cloud nine right now," said Ornopia-Aroa, a civil engineer.

"Modesty aside, I did not expect this promotion. This is really God's gift to me."

Ornopia-Aroa admirably rose from the ranks, thriving from the lowest of all positions and enduring the ups and downs in her life before evolving into a high-ranking DPWH official in Cebu.

Since she was first hired as a laborer way back in December 1984, it took her 21 long years before she earned a permanent status in her job with the position of Engineer II at the DPWH-Cebu 1st DEO in 2005.

Fueled by hard work, dedication, and perseverance in her four decades in government service, Ornopia-Aroa takes pride in her shining achievements that will be her lasting legacy in the hearts of countless people, especially those in Cebu's 4th legislative district where she comes from.

"Having been in this department, which molded my whole being as a person and as a career woman, my greatest accomplishment is the transformation in Cebu's 4th District in terms of infrastructure projects like school buildings and multi-purpose projects such as barangay halls and covered courts, barangay roads, and bridges," Ornopia-Aroa said.

"I also initiated and introduced road widening like the 4-lane national roads in the district among others," the pride of Barangay Ilihan, Tabogon furthered.

Ornopia-Aroa knows very well that her line of work entails a lot of challenges but she is always ready to rise above them anchored on her unflinching passion for public service.

In retrospect, Ornopia-Aroa has really gone a long way. Still, she is determined to walk farther down the road of her chosen career with vigor and a deep sense of commitment given this great responsibility bestowed upon her.

"With my approved appointment as Engineer IV, I could now act and exercise fully my duties and responsibilities. Most importantly, it gives me added confidence and motivation to work even harder and deliver more than what is expected of me by the people we serve," Ornopia concluded. (FREEMAN)