PRO-7 awards Tagbilaran City Police as best; lauds Mayor Yap’s support for peace and order
The Tagbilaran City Police Station (TCPS) was recognized as the Best Component City Police Station during the Philippine National Police (PNP) Day 2026 celebration held at the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) on February 23, 2026.
The award cites the station’s performance in law enforcement operations, crime prevention initiatives, community engagement, and internal management.
TCPS, led by PLtCol John Kareen Escober, was commended for strengthening operational capability and sustaining high-impact accomplishments throughout the year.
Two TCPS personnel also received individual honors during the ceremony: PMSg Joel Orapa, Best Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer (PNCO) for Operations and PSSg Luwen Refulle, Best Junior PNCO for Operations.
During the same event, the City Government of Tagbilaran, under the leadership of Mayor Jane C. Yap, was named Outstanding Component City Local Government Unit (LGU).
The citation recognized the city’s strong institutional support for law enforcement programs and its sustained partnership with the police in maintaining peace and order.
City Administrator Alvin Acuzar and PLTCOL Escober were present to formally receive the award on behalf of the city, representing what officials described as the strong synergy between the local administration and the police force.
Mayor Yap congratulated the TCPS and emphasized that public safety remains a core priority of her administration.
“We are proud of the Tagbilaran City Police Station for this well-deserved recognition. Peace and order are the foundations of progress. This award reflects what we can achieve when the local government and our police force work together with professionalism, transparency, and accountability,” Yap said.
She added that the city government will continue to provide the necessary support, resources, and policy direction to strengthen law enforcement efforts and ensure the safety of Tagbilaran residents.
With the latest awards, Tagbilaran City reinforces its standing in Central Visayas as a model for collaborative governance and sustained public safety initiatives.
Double victory for Tagbilaran City. PLtCol John Kareen Escober, TCPS Chief, celebrates Best Component City Police Station award, as Mayor Jane Yap’s administration gets Outstanding Component City LGU recognition for peace and order support, during the 2026 Philippine National Police Day celebration on Feb 23, 2026. (Contributed photo)
“Libreng Kasalan sa Tagbilaran 2026” brings hope to PDLs and community with city’s gift of love
Love and second chances took center stage at the Tagbilaran City Jail as couples, including persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), exchanged wedding vows in a ceremony held on February 21, 2026 at barangay Cabawan.
The jail wedding formed part of this year’s “Libreng Kasalan sa Tagbilaran” program which began on February 14, 2026 with a church ceremony at St. Joseph Cathedral and on February 15, 2026 with another batch of couples who formalized their unions in a civil wedding ceremony at the City Hall Atrium.
Mayor Jane Yap said the initiative affirms the city’s belief in strengthening families as a foundation of community development.
“In Tagbilaran, we believe that commitment builds families, and strong families build a stronger city. Love is not limited by circumstances. Where there is love, there is hope — and where there is hope, there is a future,” Yap said.
The city government, through the Local Civil Registrar’s Office led by Jubelyn Pulgarinas, the City Events, Culture and the Arts Office and in coordination with City Jail Warden Atty. Rumell Balili, organized the ceremonies with support from various partners.
Couples who participated in the program received free wedding services, including attire, hair and make-up, bouquets and corsages, decorations, photo and video coverage, sound system, wedding cake, buffet meals for families and witnesses, rice, rice cookers, and wedding rings.
The Libreng Kasalan has become an annual tradition in Tagbilaran which was institutionalized during the term of then Mayor and now First District Congressman John Geesnell “Baba” Yap embedding it as a regular Valentine’s season initiative of the city government.
With this year’s ceremonies, Tagbilaran City reaffirmed its commitment to promoting legal unions, strengthening families, and fostering hope across all sectors of the city including those behind bars.
Mayor Jane Yap gives a heartfelt message to newly-wed couples at the “Libreng Kasalan sa Tagbilaran 2026” ceremony, held at the Tagbilaran City Jail in Barangay Cabawan, on February 21, 2026. (Contributed photo)
Tagbilaran City showcases local talent in 2026 National Arts Month
The City Government of Tagbilaran, through the City Events, Culture and Arts Office (CECAO), has successfully concluded its month-long celebration of National Arts Month 2026, marked by a series of cultural, literary, and artistic activities held throughout February.
Anchored on this year’s theme, “Ani ng Sining: Katotohanan at Giting,” the celebration highlighted the richness of local talent and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to preserving and promoting Filipino arts and heritage.
The observance opened on February 6–8 with the First Folk Dance Echo Workshop in Trinidad, Bohol, where participants enhanced their knowledge and skills in traditional Filipino dances.
On February 20, a Dance Workshop was conducted, providing students and young performers the opportunity to further develop their craft and artistic discipline.
Creativity continued on February 21 during the Fashion and Design Workshop at the City Tourism Office, emphasizing innovation rooted in culture and identity.
One of the major highlights of the celebration was “GARBO,” held on February 22, 2026 at the National Museum of the Philippines – Bohol.
The event featured the creations of Noel Bompat Estopito and Christian Kent Paglinawan, whose works reflected a fusion of tradition and contemporary artistry.
The GARBO event was graced by distinguished guests, including: Atty. Anette Gozon-Valdez of GMA Network, Miss Therese Kristine Garcia of GMA Sparkle, Atty. Ma. Cecilia U. Tirol of the National Museum of the Philippines, Casa Bacarro Museum and Heritage Restaurant represented by Michael Amores, Janssen Bantugan, Chairperson of Sigala Arts and Cultural Heritage Research and Development Foundation, Vogue Philippines, represented by Mar David Lucas Milan.
The celebration concluded on February 28 with twin events. The relaunching of “Carousels of Time: A Book of Verses” by Atty. Rene Paredes, and the First Inter-School Folk Dance Competition at Holy Name University.
In her message, Mayor Jane Yap said: “The celebration of National Arts Month reminds us that the arts are not only expressions of creativity, but reflections of who we are as a people. Through our artists, performers, writers, and cultural workers, we preserve our history, tell our stories, and inspire future generations.”
She further emphasized the city government’s continued support for programs that nurture local talent and promote Boholano artistry on wider platforms.
City Mayor Jane Yap and Congressman John Geesnell Yap II (2nd and 3rd from left) strike a pose with the stunning models at “GARBO” held at the National Museum of the Philippines – Bohol on February 22, 2026. (Contributed photo)