Second row (from left): Vice Mayor Atty. Adam Relson L. Jala and Mayor Jane Censoria C. Yap with the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod members during the inaugural session on July 4, 2025, at the City Hall Atrium, where internal rules were adopted, committee appointments made, and district assignments given, marking the start of a unified legislative term for Tagbilaran City.
THE 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Tagbilaran City formally organized its standing committees, adopted its Internal Rules of Procedure (IRP), and announced the Administrative Councilor District assignments.
This was done during its inaugural session on July 4, 2025 at the City Hall Atrium, Tagbilaran City.
The reorganization is aimed at ensuring that the most qualified members of the city council are appointed to key committees, aligning their expertise, experience, and community representation with legislative priorities.
The move is also a step toward strengthening transparency, sectoral engagement, and efficient local governance.
Returning councilors Hon. Jose Esteban Timoteo B. Butalid and Hon. Charles T. Cabalit retained each their chairmanships from the previous term.
Butalid continues to lead the Committees on Appropriations and Accounts and Enterprise and Privatization, while Cabalit remains at the helm of the Committees on Engineering and Public Works, and Information and Communications Technology, Science and Technology.
Among the newly assigned chairpersons is Hon. Nerio D. Zamora II, who takes on two key committees: City Planning, Public Lands, and Urban Poor, and Health, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection. These will be central to developing several high-impact ordinances earlier identified by Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala, including a revised Zoning Ordinance, the City Health and Sanitation Code, the Environmental Management Code, and a Comprehensive Socialized Housing Program Ordinance.
Hon. Fausto S. Budlong was appointed chair of the Ways and Means and Peace, Public Order, and Safety committees—two vital roles in shaping Tagbilaran’s fiscal direction and security programs.
Meanwhile, Hon. Gemma M. Inting, known as the “Nanay of the Konseho,” continues to lead the Committee on Social Services, Women, Children, and Family Relations, and now also chairs the Committee on Climate Change, reflecting the council’s growing focus on inclusive and sustainable governance.
Floor Leader Hon. Jose Floro “Plong” Ringca heads the Committee on Rules and takes charge of the Committees on People Empowerment, CSO Accreditation, External and Special Affairs, and Public Information as well as, the Committee on Education.
Hon. Agustinus V. Gonzaga, a lawyer by profession, now chairs the Committees on Ethics, Good Government, Public Accountability, Investigations, Justice, Human Rights, Labor, and Employment, signifying a focus on oversight and governance reforms.
Hon. Leonides L. Borja will lead the Committees on Personnel and Organization, and Energy, Public Utilities, Franchises, and Transportation.
Meanwhile, Hon. Christian Merick M. Blanco will steer the Committees on Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heraldry, and Trade, Commerce, and Industry.
Hon. Gian Carlo T. Besas takes charge of the Committee on Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Livelihood, and Cooperatives.
Ex-officio members also took on vital roles: Liga ng Barangay (LnB) President Alberto R. Puagang now chairs the Committee on Barangay Affairs, and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President Marcel Mae V. Adiong heads the Committee on Youth and Sports Development.
To enhance grassroots representation and localized governance, the SP also formalized Administrative Councilor District assignments, allowing councilors to assist in addressing barangay-level concerns across Tagbilaran’s 15 barangays.
Among those designated were:
• Hon. Ringca – Bool, Mansasa, Manga
• Hon. Besas – Cogon, Poblacion II, Booy
• Hon. Butalid – Poblacion I, Poblacion III, Dampas
• Hon. Zamora – Taloto, Ubujan, Manga
• Hon. Borja – Dampas, Poblacion II, Cogon
• Hon. Budlong – San Isidro, Tiptip, Cabawan
• Hon. Gonzaga – Poblacion III, Poblacion I, Poblacion II
• Hon. Blanco – Mansasa, Bool, Dampas
• Hon. Cabalit – Cogon, Booy, Taloto
• Hon. Inting – Mansasa, Dampas, Poblacion III
• LnB President Puagang – Dao
• SK President Adiong – Booy
The adoption of the IRP, committee appointments, and district assignments reflect the city council’s intention to deliver responsive, transparent, and inclusive governance.
With its legislative agenda now aligned and committees in place, the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod enters its new term with a renewed focus on partnership, policy, and public service.
