Tagbilaran City joins OGP Local, strengthens commitment to open governance
Tagbilaran City has officially joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local, standing alongside Baguio, Larena, and Quezon City as new members.
The formal introduction took place during the 2025 OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manila from February 5 to 7, 2025.
This gathering brought together high-ranking government officials, civil society leaders, and policymakers from across the region to advance participatory governance, foster resilient democracies, and strengthen public trust through innovative government practices.
Mayor Jane Yap reaffirmed Tagbilaran City’s dedication to transparency and citizen participation through the Open Budget Initiative.
In a statement, she emphasized the importance of empowering the public in governance, particularly in financial decision-making.
She said: “An open government means an inclusive government—one where every Tagbilaranon has the opportunity to engage in shaping policies that affect their lives. Our Open Budget Initiative is not just about transparency but about ensuring that our people have a voice in where and how public funds are spent.”
As part of this commitment, Tagbilaran City will roll out a series of public webinars aimed at educating civil society organizations (CSOs), individuals, and the general public on the intricacies of the budget process.
These sessions will provide insights into budget planning, fund allocation, and spending priorities.
The initiative will culminate in the monitoring and evaluation of the city’s first-quarter 2025 budget, enabling stakeholders to track fund utilization and assess the impact of expenditures.
To institutionalize transparency and accountability, quarterly monitoring and evaluation activities will be conducted to refine budget processes and improve future allocations.
Representing Tagbilaran City at the event were Chief of Staff Cathelyn Torremocha, OGP Point Person Alica Faith Bayocot, and CSO in-charge Kim Anub. Their participation reinforced the city’s active role in global discussions on good governance, highlighting Tagbilaran’s commitment to making governance more inclusive, accountable, and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
Tagbilaran City takes the stage for Open Governance: Representatives from Tagbilaran City, including Kim Anub (far left), Cathelyn Torremocha (2nd from left), and Alica Faith Bayocot ( far right), had a photo opportunity with OGP Local Lead, José Maria Marin (3rd from left), at the 2025 OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting in Manila. This marks a significant step for Tagbilaran City as it officially joins the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local, demonstrating its commitment to transparency, citizen participation, and accountable governance. The city’s participation in this international forum highlights its dedication to ensuring that every Tagbilaranon has a voice in shaping policies and utilizing public funds. Contributed photo
Free exercise facilities to open at city parks
Tagbilaran City is set to promote a healthier and more active community with the installation of brand-new outdoor fitness and exercise equipment at the Tagbilaran City Hall Park and Tagbilaran Central Public Market Park.
Mayor Jane Yap made the announcement through her official Facebook page, inviting the public to the upcoming blessing and a lively Zumba session to celebrate the initiative.
The outdoor fitness equipment, which will be accessible to all residents free of charge, is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to create more open spaces and recreational areas for the public.
Mayor Yap emphasized that this project comes at no cost to the City Government, as it is a generous donation from Calichan Resources Inc., through the support of Sir Mark Apao Te and his family.
“We are grateful for the unwavering support of our private sector partners. Their generosity enables us to provide more facilities and services to our community without burdening our city’s budget. This strong collaboration between the government and business sector truly inspires us to work even harder for Tagbilaran,” Mayor Yap shared.
With the installation set to be completed at the end of this quarter, residents are encouraged to take advantage of the new fitness equipment and embrace an active lifestyle.
The City Government has also hinted at more open spaces and parks in the near future, reinforcing its commitment to a greener and healthier Tagbilaran.
Photo shows new outdoor fitness equipment ready to be installed at the City Hall Park and the Tagbilaran Central Public Market Park. These state-of-the-art exercise facilities, courtesy of Calichan Resources Inc., will soon be available to all residents, free of charge, promoting a healthier and more active community. Contributed photo