Tagbilaran Strengthens Civil Society Through CREED Academy Writeshop
The City Government of Tagbilaran continues to lead the way in deepening participatory governance, as it hosted a two-day Module and Training Design Formulation Writeshop for civil society organizations (CSOs) under the CSO CREED (Center for Responsive Citizen Engagement, Empowerment, and Development) Academy on July 21, 2025, at JJ’s Seafood Village. The second day of the training will be held on August 18, 2025.
The activity, organized by the City CSO Desk, is part of a series of capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of CSOs in local governance.
Participants were guided through intensive sessions on training design, module development, and practical applications led by facilitator Dr. Rosalinda Paredes, CSO Desk Officer Kim Anub, and modular teams.
In her message, Mayor Jane Yap underscored the importance of civic involvement in building a more responsive and inclusive city.
“Our civil society partners are more than just stakeholders—they are co-creators of progress. The CREED Academy embodies our commitment to equipping CSOs with the tools, knowledge, and voice they need to shape a better Tagbilaran.”
Mayor Yap also proudly shared that with support from USAID-CHANGE, the City Government of Tagbilaran empowered its CSOs,
growing from just 34 accredited organizations in 2021 to a remarkable 343 by 2024.
This surge in civic participation led to the creation of the first-ever CSO Desk in Region 7, a groundbreaking step that institutionalized citizen voices in governance.
One of the most notable achievements was the conduct of the first-ever Open Budget Public Hearing and Consultation for the 2025 Annual Budget, held on October 15, 2024, in partnership with the Tagbilaran City People’s Council.
This landmark event allowed citizens to directly take part in shaping the city’s budget priorities.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government recognized Tagbilaran City as a pioneer in establishing both a Local People’s Council and a CSO Academy, raising the bar for participatory governance.
In recognition of the city’s achievements, Mayor Yap was invited to speak at the 2024 CSO National Conference, where she shared the Tagbilaran experience in empowering CSOs and strengthening citizen engagement.
The training writeshop also laid the foundation for future modules that will focus on CSO roles in climate action, livelihood, women empowerment, and local development planning.
Their outputs will serve as core materials in future community-based training conducted by CSO partners.
The CSO CREED Academy, through the City CSO Desk, continues to reflect Tagbilaran’s vision for collaborative, transparent, and inclusive governance.
Participants of the CSO CREED Academy Writeshop gather for a group photo during the Module and Training Design Formulation on July 21, 2025, at JJ’s Seafood Village. This activity supports the City Government of Tagbilaran’s initiatives to boost participatory governance and empower civil society organizations. Contributed photo
Tagbilaran’s PuroKalusugan: Bringing quality healthcare closer to the home
Strengthening its commitment to deliver inclusive and accessible healthcare, the City Government of Tagbilaran, through the Tagbilaran City Primary Care Facility (TCPCF), successfully rolled out the PuroKalusugan initiative on July 23, 2025 at Purok 3, Barangay Dampas.
Leading the team of medical workers was City Health Officer Dr. Jeia Pondoc, who also heads the TCPCF.
Along with her team of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, Dr. Pondoc ensured that residents received timely and quality medical care.
The program, in collaboration with PhilHealth Tagbilaran Office and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), provided a wide array of health and social services right at the heart of the community.
Residents were able to avail themselves of free medical consultations, free medicines, blood sugar testing, and health education sessions, as well as PhilHealth enrollment and household profiling services.
The PuroKalusugan initiative is a flagship effort under the Department of Health’s Eight-Point Action Agenda, which focuses on vaccination, nutrition, water sanitation, maternal health, TB and HIV screening, road safety, non-communicable disease prevention, and cancer treatment.
By centering on these priorities, the program aims to bridge gaps in healthcare and improve the quality of life, especially in underserved communities.
One of the program’s key features is its community-based approach.
Health workers and purok advocates work hand in hand to mobilize residents, identify those in need of medical care, and ensure no one is left behind.
Infants are brought in for vaccination, senior citizens are monitored and provided with maintenance medications, and individuals with chronic conditions receive essential follow-up care—all without needing to travel to health centers or hospitals.
The City Government of Tagbilaran, under the leadership of Mayor Jane Yap, continues to prioritize public health as part of its “Serbisyong from womb to tomb”.
Mayor Yap emphasized, “We are committed to making healthcare truly inclusive. Through PuroKalusugan, we are not just treating illnesses—we are building a healthier Tagbilaran.”
As the program expands to other barangays, more Tagbilaranons are expected to benefit from this innovative approach to primary healthcare delivery, setting a new standard for accessible, community-centered health services.
Staff from the Tagbilaran City Primary Care Facility (TCPCF) hand out free medicines to residents during the PuroKalusugan program launch at the Divine Mercy Chapel, Barangay Dampas, on July 23, 2025. The City Government of Tagbilaran’s initiative aims to deliver essential health services directly to communities, making healthcare more accessible to everyone. Contributed photo
BSP, BDO Foundation empower Tagbilaran community with Financial Literacy Program
To promote financial inclusion and empower local communities with essential financial skills, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and BDO Foundation, in partnership with the City Government of Tagbilaran, successfully conducted a multi-sectoral Financial Literacy Program from July 23 to 25, 2025.
The program officially began with a Trainers’ Training on Financial Literacy for the City Government of Tagbilaran employees on July 23–24 at Kew Hotel.
The session was designed to equip city personnel with the knowledge and capacity to serve as financial literacy champions within their offices and communities—ensuring the program’s sustainability beyond the initial rollout.
Also, on July 23, a Financial Literacy Session (FLS) for the agri-fisheries sector was held at Kew Hotel, providing farmers and fisher folk with practical lessons on savings, budgeting, responsible borrowing, and financial planning—empowering them to make informed financial decisions and improve their economic well-being.
On July 24, BSP and BDO Foundation organized a Learning Session on the Integration of Financial Education in the Academic Curriculum, which was also held at KEW Hotel
The session gathered educators and administrators from Tagbilaran City College and other colleges and universities in the city to discuss the inclusion of financial education topics in higher education curricula, recognizing its vital role in preparing students for real-world financial challenges.
The three-day program concluded on July 25 with a Financial Literacy Session for the youth and general public, held at the Tagbilaran City College (TCC) Library.
Topics such as budgeting, digital banking, saving strategies, and scam prevention were discussed to empower young Tagbilaranons and everyday citizens with practical financial skills.
Mayor Jane C. Yap expressed her full support for the program, emphasizing its significance in building a financially resilient city.
She noted that by educating the public on how to manage their finances wisely, the initiative contributes not only to individual empowerment but also to the collective progress of the community.
For Mayor Yap, financial literacy is more than just managing money—it is about creating better opportunities, making informed life choices, and securing a better future for every Tagbilaranon.
With the strong collaboration between BSP, BDO Foundation, and the City Government of Tagbilaran, the Financial Literacy Program sets the foundation for a more financially aware, capable, and inclusive local population.
Boosting financial know-how in Tagbilaran! Participants of the Trainers’ Training on Financial Literacy, alongside resource persons from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and BDO Foundation, gathered for a group photo during the culmination of the 2-day capacity-building session held on July 24, 2025, at Kew Hotel, Tagbilaran City. The training empowers City Government of Tagbilaran employees to become financial literacy champions, promoting responsible financial practices in their offices and communities. Contributed photo
