Having been raised in a family that greatly values the importance of education and public service, Governor Manuel N. Mamba was able to develop, at an early age, his passion for learning and helping his community. His parents, the late Ex-Congressman Francisco Kanapi Mamba and Estelita Noveno Mamba, have taught him to always look out for other people’s welfare. His wife, Atty. Mabel Villarica-Mamba, and his two (2) sons have further encouraged and inspired him to continue to stand by these principles.

In 1983, Governor Mamba became a licensed physician, offering his services to help improve the health sector of his community. In his pursuit to reach out and lend a hand to many, especially those in far-flung areas, he decided to enter the government and be a public servant in 1987. He started as a Board Member, until he was elected as Mayor of his hometown (Tuao, Cagayan) until 1995, and as Congressman, representing the 3rd District of Cagayan until 2010. In 2013, he was appointed as a Member of the Cabinet of the President (Secretary Level) serving as the Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and headed the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO).

Following his stint as Cabinet Secretary, he joined the 2016 gubernatorial race for the province of Cagayan. Working on a strong campaign platform for anti-corruption and good governance, the Cagayanos eventually gave him an overwhelming mandate. During his term, several programs were implemented for infrastructure works for easier access between barangays and towns, improved agricultural and ecological provincial government facilities, improved hospital and public health facilities, world-class tourism infra-development, the establishment of a provincial government center in the heart of Cagayan, the restoration of the Cagayan River, and additional five major bridges crossing the Cagayan River, among others. He is also the current Chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council. Under his watch, he managed to greatly reduce insurgency related activities and efficiently implemented the war on drugs by forging a strong collaborative effort among the concerned LGUs, AFP, PNP, PDEA, BFP, NBI, BJMP, and other stakeholders. In 2019, he was recognized as a Kapayapaan Awardee, and the Provincial Government of Cagayan was a National Awardee in the Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Audit both in 2019 and In March of 2022, Governor Mamba was acclaimed as the Top 5 Performing Governor of the Philippines in a nationwide survey conducted by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMDI). This recognition was brought by all the work he has done into transforming Cagayan into a premium province.

Gearing for his vision to a renewed Cagayan thru Pabaruen ti Cagayan vis-à-vis Cagayan Moving Northward, Governor Mamba set in motion the 10-point Cagayan Development Agenda (CAGANDA 2025) by treating the neighboring countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan as indispensable partners for a sustainable people-centered economic development. With CAGANDA 2025 in place, the Province of Cagayan is now on its way to becoming a part of the international trading and investment scene, with the reopening and development of the Aparri Port which can serve as an alternative to the Port of Singapore, the International Airport and Smart City in PiatSolana-Tuao area, and the Railway system connecting the two ports.

Yet, more than the accolades and praises, Governor Mamba’s unwavering focus on achieving his goal of an honest and corrupt-free governance is what earned him the consistent trust of the people. Ultimately, this hardworking Governor only wants to uplift the lives of every Cagayano and to make the province of Cagayan the safest place to live in.