BY GLORIA LEODIVICA INES ARANETA
Tagbilaran City has once again proven its leadership in innovative governance, winning two prestigious honors at the 2024 Digital Democracy Awards on November 15, 2024 held at the Hilton Hotel. The city received the Most Outstanding Public Communication Award and was named a Digital Democracy Champion for its pioneering project, “Reviving the Heart of Tagbilaran: The Old City Hall.”
Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala proudly accepted the awards from U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Mary Kay L. Carlson, during the ceremony. The Reviving the Heart of Tagbilaran Project which focuses on the restoration of the historic Old City Hall, highlights the city’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage while embracing digital tools to enhance governance and community participation.
The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Tagbilaran City People’s Council (TCPC) and backed up by Makati Business Club (MBC) through the USAID CHANGE Project.
The project integrates cutting-edge digital platforms to involve citizens in the restoration process, allowing them to track progress, share their thoughts, and actively engage with the local government. Through this initiative, Tagbilaran has successfully demonstrated how technology can both preserve history and foster a stronger connection between the government and its people.
This recognition reflects the efforts of the Yap-Jala Administration, which continues to champion projects that embrace digital transformation for better governance,” said Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala. “ The Reviving the Heart of Tagbilaran Project is an example of how we can preserve our city’s rich history while building a more transparent, inclusive, and forward-thinking government. This is just the beginning of our journey towards digital democracy.”
The Digital Democracy Champion Award honors Tagbilaran City’s efforts to use digital tools to improve governance, enhance transparency, and increase civic engagement. Meanwhile, the Most Outstanding Public Communication Award recognizes the city’s exemplary use of digital platforms to effectively communicate with residents, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
The awards were presented by the Makati Business Club with the generous support from USAID Philippines, who continuously promotes the role of digital tools in strengthening democratic governance.