Virginia N. Orogo has built a distinguished and decorated career in public service under various capacities—championing agrarian reform, marginalized and disadvantaged sectors, and gender and development, among many notable causes.

 

She most recently served under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) as Undersecretary for the Foreign Assisted and Special Project Office from 2020 to 2022, and the Policy, Planning, and Research Office from 2019 to 2020.

 

Director Orogo was designated Acting Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in 2018 and ensured the timely execution and significant impact of the department’s major programs and services. She also served as Undersecretary from 2017 to 2018, during such time she oversaw the operations of the regional and field offices; and led the implementation of the country’ Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program, more commonly known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino (4Ps) and the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program of DSWD which aim to help reduce poverty. Spearheaded the review of existing land tenure holding policies to enhance agrarian policies.

 

In 1986, she served as Loan and Program Officer of Sta. Maria Della Strata Parish, a Church Livelihood Program in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress. In 1988 to 1990, as Assistant Branch Manager she was also assigned to the Savings and Credit Program for the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, Inc. (PPRM) Bataan Branch as well as Program Officer for the Eco development tourism Program of PRRM from 1998 to 2000.

 

A professional social worker, Director Orogo has a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from La Concordia College and a Diploma in Social Work from the University of the Philippines. She has also taken multiple skills enhancement programs, including a Certificate in Tourism Projects in Rural Areas from the Development Study Center in Rehovot, Israel; a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development from the Asian Institute of Management; and training in Developmental Marketing & Alternative Trading from the Development Academy of the Philippines, among others. Director Orogo now represents the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Sector as part of the LANDBANK Board of Directors.