NAGA CITY, Philippines – Mayor Leni Robredo underscored her administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public office when she met with the ambassadors of Sweden, Finland, and Ukraine, who visited City Hall to learn about Naga’s governance practices, budget process, and public information initiatives.

Robredo received on Monday, October 19, Ambassadors Anna Ferry of Sweden, Saija Nurminen of Finland, and Fediv Yuliia Oleksandrivna of Ukraine for discussions on good governance, transparency, and the evolving social media landscape.

The mayor said the official visit provided an opportunity to exchange views on governance practices and demonstrate how her administration has been pursuing openness and public accountability as essential principles of local government.

A key topic was the city government’s open budget portal, which makes budget information accessible to the public. The initiative forms part of the administration’s broader governance agenda under Robredo’s 2028 Finish Lines, which sets out her vision and priorities for Naga’s development.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of making government processes understandable and accessible to citizens, allowing them to examine public spending and better appreciate how decisions are made. The visiting diplomats expressed admiration for the city government’s efforts to uphold the core principles of good governance.

Before meeting with Robredo, the three ambassadors met with officers of the Nagap City People’s Council (NCPC), a local mechanism for civil society participation in governance that brings together nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs).

The NCPC provides an avenue for citizens’ groups to participate in local development and public decision-making. Its recognition by the city government reinforces the principle that governance is a shared responsibility and that people’s participation is essential to local development and empowerment.

The meetings highlighted two complementary dimensions of Naga’s governance framework: promoting transparency and accountability within government institutions and strengthening citizens’ participation in shaping local policies and development priorities. | via Jason B. Neola, CMO-Public Information Division head