THE City Government of Tagbilaran welcomed delegates from the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on April 7, 2025, for an official benchmarking visit focused on youth development initiatives.
The delegation, led by their SK Federation President Hon. Michael Christopher Agustin, was received at the City Hall Atrium by Tagbilaran City Youth Development Officer Mr. Marbert Remolador and Tagbilaran SK Federation President Hon. Marcel Adiong.
In a short program hosted by the City Youth Development Office (CYDO), Mr. Remolador outlined the various youth development programs spearheaded by Tagbilaran City.
These include the institutionalization of the City Youth Development Program through the enactment of a Youth Code, the regular participation of the City Youth Development Council (CYDC) members in barangay-level initiatives, and the annual observance of the Linggo ng Kabataan as mandated by law.
Other notable programs shared during the session included: technical support for out-of-school youth through the Youth Development Alliance of Tagbilaran City, Basic Life Support and First Aid training for youth responders, and the continued conduct of mandatory training for all SK officials in the city.
Mr. Remolador also emphasized Tagbilaran’s sustained compliance with the youth component of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), a benchmark of excellence in local youth governance.
The Laoag SK Federation’s visit follows a series of similar benchmarking activities conducted by various local government units and organizations in recent years.
Tagbilaran City has previously hosted delegations interested in its digital transformation initiatives, including the automation of the Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS), the implementation of cashless payment schemes, the integrated disaster risk reduction strategies through its City Command Center, and the adoption of an e-procurement platform among others.
These innovations have positioned Tagbilaran as one of the most progressive and efficient LGUs in the region.
With the growing interest from other cities in learning from Tagbilaran’s local governance practices, the city’s best practices continue to gain recognition.
As one city official aptly noted, “The steady stream of benchmarking visits affirms that Tagbilaran is not only setting the standard—it is becoming the standard.”
The City Government of Tagbilaran, under the leadership of Mayor Jane Yap, remains committed to promoting transparency, inclusivity, and innovation in governance.
By sharing its experiences and systems with fellow LGUs, the city contributes to a broader movement of collaborative and effective public service across the country.
