THE City Government of Tagbilaran successfully conducted a public presentation and consultation on the proposed 2026 Annual Budget on October 15, 2025, at the City Hall Atrium, as part of the 2026 budget deliberation process.
Department heads and city officials presented their office mandates, total proposed allocations for FY 2026, breakdowns of programs, projects, and activities, expected outcomes, and potential areas for public collaboration and participation.
They also addressed queries and clarifications from Tagbilaran City People’s Council (TCPC) and various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) representatives.
City Budget Officer Marysol Perocho presented the consolidated budget proposal to the TCPC for endorsement—marking the second consecutive year that the proposed city budget has been formally presented to the People’s Council before its submission to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
This participatory process is anchored on City Ordinance No. C-352, or the People Participation in City Governance Ordinance, which mandates the TCPC to take part in the preparation and deliberation of the annual budget and to convene a public hearing before its submission to the SP.
The ordinance further provides that no budget shall be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod without certification from the TCPC confirming that it has been presented to the public.
This initiative also fulfills the city’s Open Government Partnership (OGP) commitment to promote transparent, responsible, and inclusive budgeting, in line with the OGP principles of transparency, accountability, and civic participation.
Through this initiative, the City Government of Tagbilaran continues to strengthen citizen trust, improve governance, and ensure that the budgeting process truly reflects the voices and priorities of the people.
Mayor Jane Yap commended the People’s Council, CSOs, and city officials for their continued collaboration, noting that the city’s participatory budget process ensures accountability and shared responsibility.
“When citizens are part of the decision-making process, especially in budget deliberations, governance becomes more meaningful and responsive.
Through collaboration and open dialogue, we ensure that every peso of the people’s money truly serves their best interest,” Mayor Yap said.
Now in its second year of implementation, the participatory budget endorsement process has become a cornerstone of transparent, accountable, and people-centered governance in Tagbilaran City, strengthening its reputation as a model city for open and inclusive local administration in the region.
