By Carina L. Cayon
Not known to many, the first Filipino Muslim woman civil engineer has been in government service for four decades, holding the highest regional post for a woman in Mindanao at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and making her the first woman regional director of the said agency in the country.
Engineer Sinaolan Tanggol Macarambon earned a degree on Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from Mindanao State University in Marawi City in 1968. She passed the board examination soon after graduation, making her family, relatives and the whole Maranao tribe the happiest and proudest that time.
Prophecy
From a tale of prophecy during her senior high school days that she would become an engineer someday, Macarambon took the prediction in stride, though initially she wanted to be a pharmacist, and despite the prodding of some MSU professors to shift to BS Chemistry or BS in Mathematics where she was seen to have potentials to succeed.
In fact, she shifted shortly to Accountancy but decided to pursue Civil Engineering in MSU where she was among the pioneering students.
“It never crossed my mind (to become an engineer). I never expected to become who I am now,” Macarambon said.
Taking the path of the engineering course, traditionally a domain of men, wasn’t much of a struggle for Macarambon being a woman and a Muslim for that matter. For one, she had the blessing and support of her Maranao parents, especially of her father who was an educator and a level-headed person.
Macarambon is the eldest daughter of the late School’s Division Superintendent Mangontra Tanggol and Hadja Subaida Tanggol of Marawi.
She said she never experienced discrimination or harassment in the Engineering department dominated by men. “In fact, I was well respected, highly regarded and protected,” Macarambon told the Philippine Information Agency.
The proper treatment accorded to her could have also been rooted from the fact that she comes from a royal family. Macarambon said she has been given the royal title Bai a Dimasangkay sa Ganassi.
Comfortable climb to success
Climbing up the ladder of her career path was not also hard for Macarambon, saying that promotions just came in naturally and timely. “It was a comfortable climb,” she said.
Macarambon was among the many government officials who rose from the ranks. She took pride that she started working at DPWH as a casual employee until she became regular as civil engineering aide that honed her skills and competence through field works.
Her first big leap came in 1989 when she was promoted as district engineer of Lanao del Norte District Engineering Office. In 1994, she was transferred assignment to Cotabato 2nd District Engineering Office.
Six years later, she became the assistant regional director of DPWH Regional Office X in Cagayan de Oro City in 2000.
Then, after five years, Macarambon became a full-fledged regional director, also while working at the DPWH-X in 2005.
This bestowed on her the accolade of being the first woman regional director of the agency not only in Mindanao, but in the entire country.
Macarambon has since headed the DPWH Regional Office XI in Davao City since September of 2010, after her stint in Region XII for eight months since January 2009.
Even before becoming a full-fledged regional director, she already obtained her Career Executive Service Officer rank in 1998.
Challenges, leadership
From her various places of assignment, she would not forget her most challenging time in Lanao del Norte, where a powerful politician often gave her headaches over pressures and demands on projects for the province.
Unperturbed by the harassments and cases lodged by the politician, who she declined to name, Macarambon continued her work with clear conscience and integrity.
“This made me a stronger person and a dedicated public servant,” the regional director stated.
She said she is more relaxed and at ease working in Davao Region where there are less hassles and problems to address to.
Though her work load now is more on management, Macarambon said she still does field works such as inspection of projects which she has been enjoying since her younger years.
When asked about her management style, she said she is employing a participatory and consultative approach where she could solicit good ideas and suggestions from her personnel.
“This is also one way of recognizing their contributions,” she said referring to her staff who she said are cooperative and supportive of her.
Engr. Agnes Audan, acting public relations officer of DPWH-XI, described Macarambon as hardworking and with a motherly treatment to her personnel.
Family
With her big responsibilities and accountabilities and busy schedules at work, not to mention the several times of place assignment transfers, Macarambon said she could not say that she has neglected her family.
She said she tried hard to make time with her husband Hadji Abdul Naffi Bantog Macarambon, a business man, and their five children.
“Whenever I could, I took time to cook for them,” she said sharing that the family’s favorite recipe is the Malaysian Beef Randang and kare-kare.
Admitting the lack of time and care for the family, being always away from them because of work, Macarambon beamed with pride sharing that all her children have been raised well and now pursuing different path of profession.
She said she has a child who has taken the same path in Engineering, one is a business management graduate, another is a registered interior designer, one is medical intern and the youngest has taken Law but has stopped after recently giving birth.
Macarambon is now a proud Lola or grandmother to eight grandchildren.
An inspiration to emulate
Recognizing Macarambon’s achievement being the first woman civil engineer did not just end in celebration.
Macarambon became, and continues to become an inspiration and good model to many women, especially from the Maranao tribe.
She said many young Muslim women now take civil engineering course.
Many mothers from the Maranao tribe in Tanggol’s community in Marawi have named their babies “Baby”, after Macarambon’s nickname.
With her achievements and outstanding performance as public servant, Macarambon received several citations and awards, among others, such as Regional Director of the Year for DPWH in 2011; Outstanding Lady Engineer of the Year in 1996; Presidential Citation for outstanding performance relative to infrastructure development given by former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Macarambon was also recognized as the first woman Muslim environment planner after having earned a Master’s Degree in Environmental Planning from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1975.
She has involvement with several professional and social affiliations such as Philippine Institute for Civil Engineers (PICE), Road Engineering Association of the Philippines (REAP), and the Society of Philippine Accredited Consultants (SPAC).
Allah, hard work, dedication, sincerity
Macarambon attributes her success and achievements to hard work, perseverance, patience, sincerity and dedication at work.
“I just work hard. Maybe Allah has seen my hard work and perseverance,” she stated, thanking Allah whom she believes has provided her the kind of life that she and her family have been living all these years.
This is why, after her retirement in time for her 65th birthday on June 22 this year, Macarambon plans to return to Saudi Arabia to praise and express gratitude to God for all the blessings, and for reaching the retirement age healthy and happy.
“Allah just gave it all to me,” she said.
She also recognized her parents who always reminded her and her other eight siblings, to be honest, to work hard, to avoid trouble and hurting others, not to retaliate, and not to forget God. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)
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