City holds diabetes awareness drive for barangay clinics
Around 300 members of the Barangay Diabetes Clinic joined the 2026 Diabetes Awareness Week celebration organized by the City Government of Tagbilaran through the Tagbilaran City Primary Care Facility (TCPCF) on July 17, 2026 at JJ’s Seafood Village in Tagbilaran City.
The event was held in partnership with Diabetes Philippines–Bohol Chapter and the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation, Inc.
It carried the theme “Know Diabetes Now! Fight Diabetes!” and featured lectures on carbohydrate counting, medical nutrition therapy, and the prevention and management of diabetes-related complications.
Participants from the city’s Barangay Diabetes Clinics also received free blood sugar testing, cholesterol screening, and diabetic foot examinations with the support of healthcare partners and volunteer medical professionals.
City Health Officer Dr. Jeia Pondoc opened the program by emphasizing the importance of strengthening community-based diabetes prevention and ensuring accessible primary healthcare services for residents.
Mayor Jane Yap underscored the city’s continuing commitment to helping patients manage diabetes through sustained healthcare programs.
“Our goal is not only to treat diabetes but to help prevent its complications through education, regular monitoring, and accessible healthcare services,” Mayor Yap said.
“Through our Barangay Diabetes Clinics, monthly consultations, and the free distribution of maintenance medicines such as Metformin under the Fit for Life Program, we continue to make quality healthcare more accessible to every Tagbilaranon,” she added.
The city government noted that diabetes patients enrolled in the Fit for Life Program regularly receive free maintenance medicines.
Monthly Diabetes Clinics are also conducted in barangays to provide continuous medical consultation and monitoring.
City officials recognized the contributions of Dr. Vidal Manga, president of Diabetes Philippines–Bohol Chapter, Dr. Lalaine Delos Santos, Barangay Diabetes Clinic Coordinator, as well as healthcare workers, volunteers, sponsors, and partner organizations for supporting the city’s diabetes awareness and prevention initiatives.
Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane C. Yap speaks at the 2026 Diabetes Awareness program on July 17, 2026, highlighting stronger diabetes prevention via accessible healthcare, community consultations, and the Fit for Life Program. (Contributed photo)
Tagbilaran joins CSC convocation to promote digital governance
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) held the Regional HR Convocation 2026 on July 21, 2026 at Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City to help government HR practitioners across Central Visayas exchange strategies for stronger and more efficient human resource systems.
The activity was organized to provide a venue for learning innovative practices that can improve personnel management and public service delivery in local government units.
To contribute to that goal, the City Government of Tagbilaran presented its digital human resource management innovations before HR officers and public sector leaders from the region.
Representing the city were City Human Resource Management and Development Office (CHRMDO) Head Cathelyn Torremocha, Assistant CHRMDO Head Karina Mae Bucoy, and In-House Systems Developer Lester Bernaldez.
They showcased Tagbilaran City’s Human Resource Management System (HRIS) and the city’s best practices in digital transformation.
The presentation demonstrated how technology-driven HR systems have streamlined personnel processes, improved records management, and enhanced workplace efficiency.
City officials explained that the adoption of digital solutions was meant to modernize human resource management and deliver faster, more responsive services to government employees.
The HRIS and the continuing digitalization of city systems also implement the first Executive Order of Mayor Jane Yap, which directs all city offices and departments to adopt digital innovations to improve public service.
“Innovation is at the heart of good governance,” Mayor Yap said.
“By embracing digital transformation, we are making government services more efficient, empowering our workforce, and ensuring that every improvement we introduce ultimately benefits the people we serve,” she added.
“We are honored to share Tagbilaran’s experience with fellow local government units across the region,” Mayor Yap said.
City officials said Tagbilaran’s participation in the convocation affirms its commitment to technology-driven governance.
The city also hopes to serve as a model for other LGUs working to build modern and responsive human resource management systems.
CHRMDO Assistant Head Karina Mae Uy-Bucoy, In-House Systems Developer Lester Bernaldez, and CHRMDO Head Cathelyn O. Torremocha (3rd, 4th, and 5th from left) with Civil Service Commission (CSC) officials at the CSC Regional HR Convocation 2026, July 21, 2026, Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City. (Contributed photo)
New TCC wing to address growing demand for college access
Tagbilaran City College (TCC) needs to expand as student enrollment continues to rise, prompting the City Government to build a new academic wing that will accommodate more than 2,000 additional students and help prevent deserving learners from being turned away due to lack of classrooms.
The groundbreaking for the new wing was held on July 22, 2026, as part of Tagbilaran City’s 60th Charter Anniversary celebration.
The ceremony was led by City Mayor Jane Yap, who chairs the TCC Board of Trustees, and First District Congressman John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II, TCC’s founder.
They were joined by Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala, TCC President Dr. Del Mark A. Cagatin, members of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, students, and other stakeholders.
TCC President Cagatin welcomed the guests and stressed the importance of the expansion in meeting the growing demand for quality public higher education.
A project overview was presented by Architect Wilfredo Flores, representing DPWH First District Engineer John Paul Gascon.
In her message, Mayor Jane Yap said the project reflects the city government’s commitment to ensuring that no deserving student is deprived of a college education due to inadequate facilities.
“As we celebrate the 60th Charter Anniversary of Tagbilaran City, we continue investing in projects that create lasting opportunities for our people,” Mayor Yap said.
“This new academic wing will enable more young Tagbilaranons and Boholanos to pursue quality higher education and build a better future for themselves and their families,” she added.
Established in 2019 with only 849 students, Tagbilaran City College has grown to 3,866 enrolled students and has already produced four batches of graduates.
The new academic wing is expected to provide additional classrooms to address the institution’s increasing enrollment.
The ceremony concluded with the ceremonial groundbreaking and capsule laying.
The event marked another milestone in the city’s continuing efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure and expand access to affordable, quality higher education.
Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane C. Yap, TCC President Dr. Del Mark A. Cagatin, First District Congressman John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II, and Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala (L-R) lead the capsule laying at the groundbreaking of the new TCC academic wing on July 22, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Kasikas TCC.)