By Jason B. Neola   NAGA CITY, Philippines — Mayor Leni G. Robredo’s Executive Order No. 026, signed and issued on August 5 this year, mandates the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to oversee the grant of medical allowance for employees of the City Government of Naga. The directive is anchored on Section 7 of Presidential Executive Order No. 64, series of 2024, which authorizes the grant of a subsidy amounting to P7,000 in medical allowance per year for qualified government civilian personnel. According to the mayor’s order, the subsidy shall be granted at the start of Fiscal Year 2025. The comprehensive guidelines, rules, and regulations governing the grant of the subsidy are outlined in Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Budget Circular No. 2024-6. The TWG is tasked with ensuring the smooth and efficient implementation of the mayor’s directive. Contained in the EO are the TWG’s mandate and deliverables: 1.) Draft internal guidelines, and implementing rules for the grant of the subsidy, in compliance with the DBM Circular; 2.) Conduct eligibility screening of LGU personnel; 3.) Coordinate with accredited HMO providers, employees associations, and concerned offices; propose fund sourcing, and budget allocation in compliance with the PS cap and budget processes; 4.) Prepare necessary documentation for submission to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and other oversight buddies; and 5.) Oversee the disbursement and reporting of the subsidy in accordance with auditing rules.

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — Albay Board Member Harold Ong Imperial has warned the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) that endorsing quarry permit applications could expose the body to legal and administrative liability. In a privilege speech, Imperial argued that requiring SP endorsement or Certification of Non-Objection (CNO) for commercial sand and gravel (CSAG) permits violates executive authority under the Local Government Code. He stated that such actions conflict with Section 138 of RA 7160, which grants permit issuance exclusively to the provincial governor. Citing DILG issuances and legal opinions, Imperial explained that any requirement imposed by the SP amounts to an encroachment on executive powers. He also referenced Supreme Court rulings that declared similar legislative actions as ultra vires and therefore void. Imperial warned that the SP could face penalties under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for interfering in functions reserved for the executive. He emphasized that this overreach could confuse investors, disrupt quarry operations, and weaken the governor’s ability to regulate the industry. To mitigate these risks, he proposed that the SP revoke any ordinance requiring its endorsement and cease accepting related requests. Imperial urged the body to focus on oversight functions, such as monitoring environmental compliance and regulating fees, without crossing into executive powers. He concluded by calling for lawful, accountable governance and for the SP to maintain its proper legislative role.          

By Jason B. Neola   NAGA CITY, Philippines — ONE month into her administration, Mayor Leni Robredo expressed satisfaction over the early gains made under her leadership, citing enthusiastic support from city government personnel and the implementation of 24 executive orders that signaled a shift toward more transparent, efficient, and inclusive governance. Robredo, who took her oath of office on June 30, said she is “inspired” by the positive response of her “coworkers” in the city government as she began enforcing policy reforms aligned with her 2028 Finish Lines — a roadmap outlining strategic goals in eight thematic outcome areas: economic inclusion, environmental sustainability, mobility and order, health, education and well-being, heritage and identity, digital governance, good governance innovation, and local government efficiency. Among her administration’s landmark directives are a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, the mass regularization of long-serving casual personnel, a baseline performance review of city offices, the reconstitution of the Naga City School Board, and the institutionalization of stronger civil society participation in local governance. “Seeing their commitment and openness to change motivates me even more to pursue the long-term objectives we have laid down,” Robredo said. In her first month, the city government conducted clearing operations of waterways, drainage canals, and water outfalls, spearheaded by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), the City Engineer’s Office, and the Solid Waste Management Office. “They [personnel] work almost 24/7 just to ensure that siltation due to the dumps of garbage are removed, clogged drainages are unblocked, and water outfalls are cleared,” Robredo said. “They are doing this to minimize the flooding in the city, if not totally prevented.” Robredo also emphasized partnerships with national and local government units and private stakeholders as vital to achieving her administration’s goals. Key collaborations include a partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the Naga River Rehabilitation focused on clean-up and flood control, and a joint effort with the Metro Naga Water District to strengthen potable water infrastructure and ensure sustainable water supply. Another notable development is a sister-city cooperation with Quezon City, which will pave the way for urban and administrative collaboration in areas such as housing and digital governance services. As her administration moves forward, Robredo remains firm in steering the city toward a governance model that is responsive, participatory, and future-ready.

By Maida Boragay   NAGA CITY, Philippines — Mayor Leni Robredo is setting her sights on bolstering the city’s sports programs, particularly focusing on grassroots development. Robredo, during a press briefing held on Monday, August 4, said that her team is currently studying ways to provide more support for local athletes and is exploring the effective use of the Special Education Fund (SEF) to achieve this goal. She noted that with the absence of a structured sports program, it is now an ideal time to create one. “Pig-aadalan ta si utilization kang SEF ngunyan, ta ang sports kaya under siya sa education. Gusto ta sana grassroots ang pagdevelop,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to building a strong foundation for sports from the ground up. The sports development also aligns with the upcoming completion of the renovated Jesse M.Robredo (JMR) Coliseum next year. To help with this initiative, the mayor has tapped sports consultants Noli Ayo and Francis Barja to craft a comprehensive sports program. She is scheduled to meet with Ayo next week to further discuss the initiative. The mayor also praised the successful sports initiatives in Pasig City, expressing her hope that Naga will be able to replicate a similar level of achievement in its own sports programs. “Sa hiling ko kaya ta din dawa dae kita kasing yaman, basta magamit lang ang pondong mas maray,” she said.                  

NAGA CITY, Philippines — The City Government of Naga once again activated the Peñafrancia Joint Operations Center (PJOC) to ensure the smooth, secure, and solemn observance of the upcoming Peñafrancia Fiesta, one of Southeast Asia’s largest Marian festivals, drawing over a million devotees, pilgrims, tourists, members of the clergy, and government officials. Mayor Leni Robredo issued Executive Order No. 020 reactivating the PJOC, which will serve as the central hub for coordination, communication, and control throughout the month-long religious celebration this September. “The PJOC is reactivated because of the risks involved in the influx of visitors and pilgrims,” Robredo said, as she emphasized the need for an effective and efficient system to manage command, coordination, collaboration, and communication during the festivities. The Peñafrancia Fiesta, traditionally hosted in Naga City as the convergence zone of devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, is regarded as the fiesta of the entire Bicol Region. Its national significance was recognized through Presidential Executive Order No. 33, series of 2010, which declared Naga as the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines. The directive also mandates that all activities during the festival must be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and solemnity with full government support. The PJOC will serve as a centralized focus of authority and information to ensure proper coordination among deployed personnel, prioritize resource allocation, and evaluate the need for additional support through mutual aid. The executive order details a comprehensive organizational structure for the operations center, including the appointment of Joint Operations Center Responsible Officers, the Joint Operations Center Executive Committee, and the Inter-Agency Task Groups, all of whom are tasked with safeguarding the integrity, order, and spiritual character of the annual event. | via Jason B. Neola  

In line with Mayor Leni Robredo’s directive to strengthen Naga City’s housing program as part of her 2028 Finish Line roadmap, the Housing and Settlements Development Office (HSDO) has initiated steps to implement the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), a government-backed, people-led housing finance initiative. HSDO Department Head Engr. Rolando Campillos has begun a series of preparatory meetings and coordination activities with Mr. Will Peran of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the national agency tasked to implement the CMP. The Community Mortgage Program is designed to assist legally organized homeowners associations composed of low-income groups in acquiring and developing land under the concept of community ownership. Through the program, beneficiaries are given access to affordable financing to purchase and improve their housing sites, eventually leading to secure land tenure and upgraded living conditions. As part of the city’s efforts to roll out the CMP, two homeowners associations—Sitio Sto. Niño Homeowners Association in Sabang and Mabolo Homes Subdivision Homeowners Association in Barangay Mabolo—underwent initial orientation sessions on July 17 and 18, respectively. These sessions introduced the core principles, processes, and benefits of the program to prospective beneficiaries. The city government is hopeful that the CMP will accelerate its goal of inclusive and community-driven shelter development for Nagueños, especially those belonging to vulnerable and informal settler sectors. | via Jason B. Neola  

NAGA CITY — The city government under Mayor Leni Robredo is taking steps to tighten oversight and improve efficiency in managing its fleet of vehicles, particularly in areas of fuel consumption and maintenance. Through Executive Order No. 017, Robredo created a Technical Working Group (TWG) tasked to assess the city’s existing fleet management system and propose measures to make it more accountable, cost-effective, and sustainable. The TWG is mandated to conduct a thorough assessment of the city’s current vehicle inventory, including distribution, usage, and maintenance practices. It is also expected to recommend improvements to streamline operations and reduce unnecessary spending. One of the group’s key deliverables is the drafting of a Fleet Management Manual that will establish policies, procedures, and oversight mechanisms for the centralized management of all city-owned vehicles. The TWG is given 45 days from the issuance of the order to submit a comprehensive report, including the proposed manual, to the Office of the City Mayor. Mayor Robredo emphasized that effective planning and stricter controls are crucial in ensuring that government resources are maximized to serve the public better. | via Jason B. Neola

To address longstanding urban challenges in Naga, Mayor Leni Robredo has tapped a team of Manila-based urban planners to help rationalize the use of city-owned facilities, manage traffic congestion, and bring order to public spaces, especially those now heavily occupied by roadside vendors. “We need to make sure that every government facility is properly organized so their efficiency is not hampered. Right now, we are facing issues brought by disorganized parking, uncontrolled/unregulated street vending, traffic congestion, and newly constructed buildings that were not developed under a comprehensive plan,” Robredo said. The mayor and the urban planning team began their site inspections on Friday, July 11, starting at the Naga City General Hospital (NCGH), where they assessed the layout and functionality of buildings within the Balatas Development Complex. Hospital staff showed them the location of the Outpatient Department (OPD), which is situated more than a hundred meters from the hospital’s main building. Robredo noted the inefficient setup, pointing out that the OPD’s distance from the main hospital building inconveniences patients, especially during inclement weather, and affects the overall service delivery. She added that food from the hospital kitchen—located separately—is currently being transported by carts, a practice deemed unacceptable by the urban planners. “This is why we are pushing for rationalization in how these buildings are used. Every structure here should complement the others so that all offices and services function seamlessly,” Robredo stressed. The team also visited Liboton Street, a four-lane stretch being considered as a pilot area for a new street design focused on pedestrian and bicycle mobility. Robredo said the proposed layout, being finalized in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), will dedicate more space to walkways and bike lanes—an initiative aimed at promoting alternative mobility and easing vehicular traffic in the city. “The design will encourage more people to walk and use bicycles. That means less traffic congestion and a healthier lifestyle for our citizens,” she said. The final stop of the site inspection was Barangay Dinaga, where the elevated Naga River Esplanade will soon rise. The esplanade, stretching from Danlugan near the Naga City People’s Mall to Panganiban Bridge and further to Magsaysay Bridge near the Peñafrancia Basilica, is set to begin construction with Phase 1 funding already downloaded. Mayor Robredo emphasized that the esplanade will not only boost local tourism and provide scenic, shaded walking paths lined with trees—it will also double as a flood control measure. Once completed, the four-phase project will allow pedestrians to travel a long stretch from downtown to the Basilica without using congested main roads. “This will encourage more people to walk, and walking is one of the best and healthiest habits we can promote in a growing city like ours,” she said. Robredo said she is awaiting detailed recommendations from the urban planners, which will guide the city government in crafting long-term solutions to urban congestion and facility planning. | via Jason B. Neola

In a move to make education governance in the city more inclusive and participatory, Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo has reconstituted the Naga City School Board (NCSB) through Executive Order No. 010, series of 2025, which she signed on July 8, 2025. The reconstitution, according to the mayor, is prompted by changing circumstances that call for a broader and more collaborative approach to education development. The order highlights the city government’s thrust to reinvent the NCSB by expanding its membership to include representatives from the private sector and the Naga City People’s Council (NCPC)—the umbrella organization of all non-government and people’s organizations in the city. Under the new composition, Mayor Robredo serves as chairperson of the school board, with Dr. Susan S. Collano, the schools division superintendent, as co-chairperson. Delfin Aguilar, administrative officer of the Education, Scholarships, and Sports Office (ESSO), sits as secretariat. Other members of the board include: City Councilor David Casper Nathan Sergio, chairperson of the SP Committee on Education; City Councilor Jefson Romeo Felix, president Sangguniang Kabataan Federation; City Treasurer Maria Socorro Gayanilo; Tobias Bongon III, president of the Naga City Parents-Teachers Associations League, Inc.; Apollo Sebello, president of the DepEd Naga City Teachers and Employees Association, and Salvacion Verona, president of the Non-Teaching Personnel Association. In recognition of the role of civil society in education, the executive order also invites Elmer T. Sto. Domingo, chairperson of the NCPC, to join the board as an honorary member. His inclusion aims to further promote cooperation among all education stakeholders in advancing accessible, quality education and building a self-reliant and caring Naga City. | via Jason B. Neola