Tagbilaran City honored as Manila Bulletin Newsmaker of the Year 2024

Tagbilaran City was bestowed with the prestigious Newsmaker of the Year 2024 Award during the grand celebration of the 124th anniversary of the Manila Bulletin (MB).

Mayor Jane Yap proudly received the accolade on February 15, 2024, at The Tent City, Manila Hotel.

This significant recognition comes as the first Manila Bulletin Newsmakers of the Year Awards featured ten outstanding personalities and organizations that have left an indelible mark on the nation through their remarkable achievements, inspiring stories, and motivational endeavors in 2023.

Tagbilaran City shares the spotlight with a remarkable lineup of MB Newsmakers of the Year 2024, including Sarisuki, Magdalena Gamayo, Gilas Pilipinas, Kathryn Bernardo, Jeremy de Leon, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Expedock, Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, and Kindred.

City Mayor Yap expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the collective effort that led to Tagbilaran City earning its place among the distinguished MB Newsmakers of the Year 2024.

“This honor is not just for me but for every citizen of Tagbilaran who has played a role in our city’s progress. It’s a testament to our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and community development. We will continue working tirelessly to bring pride and positive impact to our beloved city,” Yap said.

This accolade reflects the city’s commitment to progress, innovation, and community development, making Tagbilaran a shining example of excellence on the national stage.

Mayor Jane Yap stands joyfully as she holds a plaque which signifies the prestigious award for Tagbilaran City. The city is honored as one of the Manila Bulletin’s Newsmakers of the Year 2024 during the grand celebration of the newspaper’s 124th anniversary on February 15, 2024, at the Tent City, Manila Hotel.

City Government expands mobile services with “Bahandi  sa Basura” Program

The City Government of Tagbilaran has expanded its mobile services to the barangays by including the innovative “Bahandi sa Basura” program.

In this program, residents can exchange plastic bottles for rice, fostering a community-driven commitment to waste reduction with tangible benefits. The exchange rates are structured as follows: 50 pieces of Sakto size, 40 pieces of 350ml and below, 30 pieces of 500ml, 20 pieces of 1L, 15 pieces of 1.5L or 2L, and 10 pieces of 5L and above, all equivalent to 1 kilogram of rice.

Moreover, the mobile services now incorporate on-site Philippine ID registration for individuals aged above 5 years old.  There is also on-site Alternative Learning System (ALS) registration, promoting education inclusivity by bringing registration services directly to the community.

During the mobile services in barangay Poblacion 2 on February 8, 2024, Mayor Jane Yap expressed her enthusiasm for these expanded services, stating, “By integrating environmental initiatives like ‘Bahandi sa Basura’ and providing convenient on-site services, we are making tangible strides towards a more sustainable and inclusive Tagbilaran. I am confident that these efforts will not only enhance the quality of life for our residents but also foster a deeper sense of pride and responsibility for our city and its environment.”

These add-on services complement the vital mobile services being offered to include free health check-ups, distribution of medicines, legal services, tooth extraction, ECG screenings, warts removal, and anti-rabies vaccines for dogs and cats.

It also featured local civil registrar services, haircuts, massages, and hair coloring for senior citizens, acknowledging the importance of well-being for the elderly members of the community. Hot meals were served to the residents, courtesy of DIWA partylist, adding a nourishing touch to the array of services.

Residents of Barangay Poblacion 2 led by Punong Barangay June Ramon Duroy and the barangay council expressed their sincere gratitude to the City Government for the accessibility of essential services.

Tagbilaran’s initiative aligns with its overarching goal of creating a more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive environment for Tagbilaran residents. These expanded services mark significant steps toward community empowerment, environmental consciousness, and streamlined public services.

Engr. Raul Aparicio III (seated at left, behind the table), the office-in-charge of the Tagbilaran City Environmental Management Office (TCEMO), along with TCEMO staff, Edna Tadena (seated to the left of Engr. Aparicio) and Macario Baliog (standing behind Engr. Aparicio) and two (2) residents of Barangay Poblacion II (seated, front row), were captured in this photo during the Mobile Clinic services on February 8, 2024. The Mobile Services of the City Government of Tagbilaran now includes the Bahandi sa Basura program, aimed at promoting proper waste management in the community.