𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐂. 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥’𝐬 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐑𝐓𝐀

In a world where men typically hold the reins, a woman standing at the helm signifies extraordinary strength and competence. At the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), one such inspirational figure is Ms. Annabelle C. Ganancial, the Manager of the Business Development and Public Relations Department.

This National Women’s Month, as LRTA pays tribute to exceptional women, let’s get to know “Ma’am Belle,” as her staff and colleagues fondly call her. This is #HERstory:

An honor student, Ma’am Belle pursued her academic journey at the University of the Philippines, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics in 1980 and a Graduate Degree in Public Administration from the same university in 2000. Her thirst for knowledge led her to participate in various training programs involving urban planning, rail transport planning, AFCS, and train operations in countries such as Ireland, Japan, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Starting her professional career in 1980 as an Economic Development Analyst at the National Economic and Development Authority, Ma’am Belle transitioned to the Light Rail Transit Authority in 1983, becoming a Senior Corplan Analyst at the MIS Division to become its Division Manager in 1991 and eventually, a Department Manager at the Business Development and Public Relations Department in 2010.

As one of the pioneers at LRTA, Ma’am Belle played a crucial role in establishing the foundational systems and policies of the Authority. Undeterred by challenges, she committed herself to creating and implementing efficient workflows across various aspects of railway operations, ensuring smooth functioning of administrative tasks to financial management and procurement as well as planning, operations, and maintenance of existing LRT systems.

“It’s challenging because when I entered the organization, no systems or policies were in place. We were the ones who established the necessary systems and procedures to enable the smooth flow of operations.” She emphasized that everything would be chaotic without a working system or workflow.

Ma’am Belle’s most significant challenge came when she was assigned to lead the Operations and Engineering Department of LRTA’s Lines 1 and 2. In a male-dominated field, she persisted in earning the trust and respect of her team through hard work and dedication. She immersed herself in all areas of operations, personally visiting stations and maintenance areas to gain a comprehensive understanding of the tasks at hand that enabled her to provide practical guidance and direction to her team.

As she prepares for retirement in September, her legacy of leadership and perseverance inspires those around her.

Ma’am Belle shares invaluable advice to women aspiring to excel in the railway industry: “Embrace challenges with readiness and enthusiasm. Never settle for mediocrity. Continuously work on enhancing your skills and expertise, as any organization’s success relies on its employees’ competence and dedication.”