TAGBILARAN City has earned national recognition after having been named a SubayBAYANI Awardee – Exemplar for FY 2025, following its inclusion among the Top 10 national finalists for the 2025 SubayBAYANI Award.
This prestigious distinction was conferred by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) during the awarding ceremony held on November 26, 2025, at the Manila Hotel in Manila.
Representing Mayor Jane Yap during the event were City Administrator Alvin Luis Acuzar, City Engineer Teodoro Estoque and city local government operations officer, Juliet Olalo who received the recognition on behalf of the City Government of Tagbilaran.
The award specifically highlighted the successful completion of Tagbilaran City College (TCC), a major education and infrastructure initiative that has significantly expanded access to tertiary education for residents of the city and nearby communities.
The SubayBAYANI Awards recognize LGUs that have generated substantial, measurable improvements in local governance, service delivery, and community development.
In the case of Tagbilaran City, the completion and operational success of Tagbilaran City College was cited as a transformative investment in human capital.
Tagbilaran City College, whose construction began in 2017, was conceptualized under former mayor and now First District Representative Congressman John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II and further expanded under the administration of Mayor Jane Yap.
The institution opened in 2019 with the objective of providing accessible, affordable, and inclusive higher education for diverse learners, including working students, first-generation college enrollees, and graduates of alternative learning systems.
Enrollment has grown from 849 students in its opening year to more than 2,900 students today, reflecting strong demand and community impact.
The college has implemented programs aimed at broadening educational and employment opportunities, including partnerships for language training and TESDA-accredited technical courses, enabling graduates to secure better employment both locally and abroad.
These developments have also contributed to local economic activity, community upliftment, and improved public participation in education and governance.
Mayor Jane Yap welcomed the SubayBAYANI recognition, noting that the award affirms the city’s long-term development strategy anchored on investing in people and accessible education.
“The transformation brought by Tagbilaran City College demonstrates the tangible results of sustained and people-first governance. We are committed to further expanding TCC programs that continue to uplift families and communities”, Mayor Yap added.
With this latest national acknowledgment, Tagbilaran City joins the ranks of local governments that exemplify measurable, transparent, and results-driven leadership.
The SubayBAYANI Award, according to the DILG, stands as a recognition not only of governance excellence but also of the enduring value of infrastructure projects that generate real improvements in the lives of the Filipino people.
