CLARK FREEPORT — Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera received the Lifetime Contributor Award (Public Sector) at the Asia CEO Awards 2026 on Oct. 13, recognizing more than three decades of public service across local government, the justice department and the energy sector.
The award was presented during ceremonies at the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom, honoring Devanadera’s leadership and contributions to public administration.
In her acceptance speech, Devanadera emphasized that public service should be measured by its impact on people, particularly those who rely on government institutions for essential services.
“What gives us the challenge, what gives us the fulfillment, is when we take our jobs with a heart and make sure we touch the lives of the people around us,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of inclusive leadership, saying government and organizational leaders must look after employees at every level.
“We take care of the people at the bottom as we take care of the people on top,” Devanadera said.
Known as a “Woman of Many Firsts,” Devanadera has held several landmark positions throughout her career. She became the first woman mayor of Sampaloc, Quezon, and the first woman national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines. She also served as the country’s first female solicitor general and twice as secretary of justice.
She now heads CDC as its first woman president and CEO, overseeing the state-owned corporation responsible for managing the Clark Freeport Zone and maintaining an environment conducive to business and investment in Central Luzon.
Clark Freeport is a major economic hub in the region, hosting enterprises across manufacturing, logistics, aviation, tourism and other industries.
The Asia CEO Awards, presented by Santé, recognize business leaders and organizations for their contributions and achievements. Organizers said award submissions undergo review by PricewaterhouseCoopers before the board of judges selects recipients for the Circle of Excellence and grand-winner distinctions.
CDC officials and executives also attended the ceremony, including board director Atty. Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno and senior representatives from the corporation’s administration and finance, engineering, legal, security and communications units.
Devanadera’s recognition highlights a career spanning government institutions and economic development, as she continues to lead CDC’s efforts to sustain Clark’s role in attracting investments and supporting regional economic growth. (Press Release)