A Sunny Story
There are many ways to begin the story of Mayor Sunny.
One can start with her 11-year tenure as Local Chief Executive of the progressive City of Valencia, Bukidnon, decorated with a myriad of national and local awards. This alone, can already make a good-read book. Others can begin their story of her by focusing on her character: her unassuming, down-to-earth, "maka-masa" personality that impresses multi-billionaires and ordinary folks alike. For some, they can talk about how they can just freely come in and out of her executive office with no qualms and no worries and how they find themselves airing out their predicaments and other concerns to the good Mayor like she is their own mother.
For others, they cannot stop talking about how Mayor Sunny helped them in their time of need or how she helped their barangay with new roads and infrastructures, big projects, funds, services, medical assistance and aid during times of calamities.
But Mayor Sunny's story is more than just a life dedicated to meaningful and sustainable service for the people. It is a story about a leader with a purpose, a pilgrim who is deeply anchored in her faith, and a person deeply rooted in her humble past.
Mayor Sunny took up Agriculture and Economics at Central Mindanao University (CMU). Her life in the barrio and her rural upbringing allowed her to gain valuable life experience as a wife, mother, farmer, and entrepreneur before beginning her career in public service.
She is married to Mario B. Huervas and is a devoted mother to six children. Mayor Sunny’s leadership journey began when she served as the Parish President of the San Vicente Chapel in her rural Barangay of Catumbalon, Valencia City. Recognizing her leadership potential, local residents encouraged her to run for Barangay Kagawad, a position she won and held from 1997 to 2002, ranking first among the councilors. Her effective leadership led to her election as Punong Barangay, a role she held from 2002 to 2010. She also served as President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) from 2008 to 2010, which made her an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Her extensive experience as a grassroots leader, having served at the Barangay level, has provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the poor and marginalized. This background has given her valuable insights into their hopes, concerns, and fears, allowing her to connect with and empathize with the community she serves.
The Chosen
In early 2010, following the untimely passing of the sitting Vice Mayor of Valencia City, Sunny Huervas was chosen by her local political party to replace him, primarily due to her strong, no-nonsense leadership style and proven track record in public service. At the time, she was already well-known in the community for her dedication and leadership in various capacities. Her entry into the role was a significant moment in the city’s political landscape, marking the beginning of her rise in local government. In 2013, Sunny was elected City Vice Mayor in her own right, further solidifying her reputation as a capable and effective leader.
However, her political journey took an unexpected yet fateful turn in 2014, when she assumed the office of City Mayor following the criminal conviction of her predecessor. While her succession to the mayoralty was sudden, it seemed almost destined, as it marked the beginning of an era of transformation for the city. Sunny Huervas would go on to become the first and, to date, the only female mayor of Valencia City, Bukidnon, a position that allowed her to leave a lasting legacy in her community.
Pax Azucena
Under her leadership, Valencia City experienced unprecedented growth and development. She was re-elected three times, in 2016, 2019, and 2022, each time with overwhelming support from the electorate. Her leadership style, characterized by her commitment to public service, transparency, and strategic vision, endeared her to her constituents. Sunny is now serving her final term as mayor, which will conclude on June 30, 2025.
During her remarkable tenure, Mayor Sunny spearheaded numerous initiatives that have profoundly impacted the city's development. One of her most notable achievements was the modernization of Valencia City's aging infrastructure and public facilities, which had long been in need of repair and expansion. Her administration focused on upgrading roads, public markets, and government buildings, as well as improving access to vital public services like healthcare, education, and sanitation.
Furthermore, under her leadership, Valencia City expanded its social services and established robust social safety nets for its most vulnerable citizens. She prioritized programs aimed at poverty reduction, disaster resilience, and improving the lives of marginalized communities. Mayor Sunny also worked tirelessly to strengthen the city’s economic foundations, fostering an environment conducive to business growth and investment.
Legacy of Good Governance
Her efforts in bolstering Valencia City's fiscal health and improving its economic landscape earned the city a reputation as the commercial hub and business capital of Bukidnon. The city's growth attracted new investors, created job opportunities, and boosted the local economy, further elevating Valencia City's standing in the region.
Beyond infrastructure and economic development, Mayor Sunny is also known for her deep empathy and connection with the people she serves. Her grassroots experience, combined with her genuine commitment to the welfare of the people, has made her a trusted and beloved figure in the city. Whether advocating for the marginalized or supporting local businesses, she has consistently put the needs of her constituents at the forefront of her administration.
As she nears the end of her final term, Mayor Sunny's legacy is firmly cemented as one of the most transformative periods in Valencia City’s history. Her leadership has set a strong foundation for future progress, and her impact on the city will be felt for many years to come.
Multi-awarded, Undefeated Local Chief Executive
#7 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance
#6 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance
#5 2022 Seal of Good Local Governance
#4 2019 Seal of Good Local Governance
#3 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance
#2 2016 Seal of Good Local Governance
#1 2015 Seal of Good Local Governance
• 2024 Gawad Parangal Most Outstanding Local Chief Executive of the Philippines. She was the sole Awardee among component city mayors of Mindanao handed out by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc.
• Most Outstanding Mayor awarded by the Mindanao Daily News and Veterans Bank, Cagayan de Oro City, February 2023 during the 4th Mindanao Governance and Excellence Award (MIGLEA), one of only 3 City Mayors so honored. This award represents her excellence, transparency,
accountability and outstanding leadership of Valencia City.
• Through her outstanding leadership, Valencia City became a 7-time Awardee of the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024. The SGLG is the highest award given by the DILG to top-performing local government units.
• The Seven (7) SGLG Awards received by the City of Valencia during the tenure of Mayor Huervas is among the highest in Mindanao which indicates that the policies, standards and processes of LGU Valencia City including the management of its financial resources are in compliance with the best practices and at par with national standards.
• In 2022, Valencia City was recognized as the 11th Most Improved Component City among 113 Component Cities in the Philippines by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) program. Valencia City was ranked based on five (5) Pillars, namely, Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency and Innovation.
• In 2022, Valencia City was awarded the 2022 Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping by the DILG which indicates compliance by the City Government with accounting and auditing standards, rules and regulations. This was the latest among several similar awards in previous years.
• In 2021, Valencia City was among the passers and top 3 in Bukidnon for the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) by the DILG, DSWD and CWC which shows Mayor Sunny Huervas’ dedication and love to the Children of Valencia City Bukidnon.
• Mayor Sunny Huervas is the first and only Lady Mayor in the history of Valencia City. As a woman, Mayor Huervas promoted programs and policies that uplifted the rights of women and children in Valencia City including the mainstreaming of the Gender and Development (GAD) programs and policies. She fast-tracked institutional changes resulting to the creation and funding of the GAD Office through Ordinance No. 16-2022 which she championed,
supported and implemented.
• In 2022, The LCAT-VAWC (Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking-Violence Against Women and their Children) Functionality Assessment was able to garnered 103% and that is equivalent to “Ideal” Level in Functionality. Indeed, Mayor Huervas is an epitome of passion and hard work.
Service from the Heart
Mayor Sunny Huervas has made significant strides in prioritizing the needs of the disadvantaged in Valencia City, dedicating increased resources to social services and ensuring that the marginalized are at the heart of her administration’s programs and policies. True to her belief that "No Valenciano should be left behind," she has waged an effective battle against malnutrition through the highly efficient and award-winning City Nutrition Council. In addition, she made substantial strides in advancing gender equality by establishing and mainstreaming Gender and Development (GAD) programs, even creating a dedicated and functional GAD office within the local government.
Throughout her tenure, Mayor Sunny has championed a wide array of innovative programs aimed at uplifting the lives of marginalized sectors. Among these initiatives are the Medical Education Subsidy Program, the Serbisyong Tinabangay Para Sa Barangay, and the Enhanced Hatud Serbisyo sa mga Valencianos, all designed to address critical needs in health, education, and basic services. Her administration has also focused on empowering marginalized groups, including youth, women, the elderly, the LGBTQ community, and farmers, through various livelihood and capacity-building programs. Additionally, she has worked to enhance the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) by fostering greater participation in local governance, ensuring that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard and considered in policy-making.
As part of her reform agenda, Mayor Sunny has worked tirelessly to improve the efficiency of the City Government, minimize wasteful spending, and make city assets more profitable. One key aspect of this was her decision to hire a motivated and skilled workforce, particularly focusing on younger employees who bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to local governance. She also took bold steps to professionalize disaster response, strengthening the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and adopting a "zero-casualty" approach to emergencies. Furthermore, she restructured the Grievance and Investigation Committee, holding local government employees accountable for their actions and ensuring better service delivery to the public.
Effective Leader, Efficient Manager
As a farmer herself, Mayor Sunny has been a staunch advocate for sustainable agriculture and has worked to enhance the capacity of the City Agriculture Office. Her administration expanded the office’s workforce, built new warehouses to address the perennial problem of seed and farm input storage, and empowered farmers' irrigators associations (IAs) by giving them funding and responsibility for key agricultural projects. She also actively supported organic farming and promoted hybrid rice farming programs to improve productivity and sustainability in the sector. One of her signature accomplishments in agriculture was the construction of the P220 million New Farmers' Market, which was completed in 2021. This modern facility has become a vital hub for small farmers and traders, allowing them to sell their produce in a more organized and profitable environment.
During her 2019 State of the City Address (SOCA), she emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth with food security, saying, “Our prosperity must not be achieved by sacrificing our food security. Economic prosperity and food security must come together for Valencia City.” This statement underscored her long-term vision for a thriving city that prioritizes both economic growth and agricultural sustainability.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, but under Mayor Sunny's leadership, Valencia City navigated the crisis with remarkable effectiveness. She successfully implemented a balanced approach to public health and the economy, ensuring that the city could continue to operate while safeguarding the well-being of its residents. Her clear, consistent, and timely executive orders became a model for other local government units (LGUs) in Bukidnon, helping to guide the province through one of the most difficult periods in its history.
In addition to the local initiatives, Mayor Sunny’s administration was pivotal in setting up the province’s first-ever Triage Center, Emergency Operations and Command Center (EOCC), Isolation Facility, and Mass Vaccination Center. These efforts helped to prevent unnecessary deaths, promote public health, and ensure that the city was able to recover quickly once the worst of the pandemic passed. The successful vaccination campaign, supported by these facilities, played a key role in achieving widespread immunization across the city, providing crucial protection for its citizens during the height of the pandemic.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, Valencia City’s recovery has been nothing short of remarkable. Mayor Sunny’s leadership not only helped the city weather the crisis but also set the stage for a strong rebound, making Valencia City a model of resilience and effective governance during one of the most challenging times in recent history. Her balanced approach to managing the pandemic, while continuing to address the city’s long-term development goals, has ensured that the city is well-positioned for future growth and prosperity.
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