Tagbilaran receives LCPC Functionality Award
Tagbilaran City was recognized with the prestigious Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) Functionality Award by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 7.
The awarding ceremony took place during the Bansiwag Awards for Local Government Units on November 25, 2024 at the Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu City.
The award aims to honor LGUs that have established strategic mechanisms to efficiently and effectively implement policies, programs, and projects addressing all major areas of concern for children, in line with the guidelines set in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2021-039.
Tagbilaran City achieved the Ideal Functionality Level, a testament to its commitment to child welfare and development. The award was received by Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala and City Local Government Operations Officer Juliet Olalo, who represented the city during the event.
In addition, Barangay Taloto in Tagbilaran City was named the Regional Grand Awardee in the Component City Category for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards (LTIA), with a cash prize of ₱50,000.
Barangay Manga also received the Seal of Good Governance for Barangay (SGLGB) award for its efforts in good governance and public service.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jane Yap, who was in Manila as a guest speaker at the 2024 Freedom of Information Summit, shared her heartfelt congratulations and pride in the city’s achievement. “This award is a testament to our collective effort in ensuring that Tagbilaran City remains a safe and nurturing place for our children. Our LCPC has worked tirelessly to implement programs that protect and empower our young citizens,” she said.
This recognition underscores Tagbilaran City’s dedication to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for children, ensuring their rights, safety, and holistic development remain a top priority.
Tagbilaran City has been recognized for its dedication to protecting children, receiving the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) Functionality Award from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 7 on November 25, 2024. Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala accepted the award for and on behalf of Mayor Jane Yap, alongside City Local Government Operations Officer, Juliet Olalo. (Contributed photo)
Tagbilaran City advocates for transparency at the 2024 FOI Summit
On November 25, 2024, the City Government of Tagbilaran, led by Mayor Jane Yap, took part in the 2024 Freedom of Information (FOI) Summit held at Hilton Manila, Newport Boulevard. The summit, with the theme “Local Voices, National Impact: Bridging and Empowering Communities through FOI Localization,” gathered FOI advocates from across the country to discuss the impact of FOI and share best practices for making information more accessible to the public.
Mayor Yap was honored to join the panel for Session 1, where she spoke about the City Government of Tagbilaran’s commitment to transparency and how the city has been working to make FOI a part of its everyday operations.
One of the highlights of her talk was the city’s Open Budget Presentation, held on October 16, 2024, at the Tagbilaran City Hall Atrium.
“During our Open Budget Presentation for CY 2025, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from the Tagbilaran City People’s Council were actively engaged, asking questions, and providing valuable feedback,” Mayor Yap shared. “This is a perfect example of how we’ve made transparency a key part of governance in Tagbilaran, where everyone has the opportunity to be heard and contribute.”
The Mayor also emphasized another important milestone—the FOI Ordinance Operationalization Workshop that took place on November 19-20, 2024.
This workshop, organized in collaboration with the Presidential Communications Office and USAID Change, provided city employees with the tools and knowledge to better implement the FOI program and help citizens access the information they need.
Currently, the City Press Relations and Information Office (CPRIO), under the Office of the City Administrator, is responsible for handling FOI requests, ensuring that information flows freely and efficiently within the city government.
This effort helps keep the public informed, strengthens accountability, and empowers citizens to actively participate in the city’s development.
The FOI Summit is an annual gathering of local and national government leaders, civil society groups, and other stakeholders who are committed to improving transparency and public access to government information.
This year’s event provided a platform for sharing ideas and building new partnerships that will help ensure FOI continues to thrive in the Philippines.
Mayor Yap’s participation in the summit reflects her strong belief in open and participatory governance.
“For us, FOI isn’t just about providing access to information—it’s about building trust with our people,” she said. “Through transparency, we make sure that our citizens are part of the decision-making process, which ultimately leads to better governance and a stronger, more connected community.”
As Tagbilaran City continues to set an example for good governance, the 2024 FOI Summit highlighted the importance of local leadership in driving transparency and accountability.
With initiatives like the Open Budget Presentation, the FOI workshop, and the ongoing work of the CPRIO, Mayor Yap and the City Government of Tagbilaran are making sure that transparency isn’t just a goal—it’s a practice that shapes everything they do.
Mayor Jane Yap showcased the City Government of Tagbilaran’s dedication to Freedom of Information at the 2024 FOI Summit held at Hilton Manila on November 25, 2024. (Contributed photo)