Action plan – Tagbilaran, Philippines, 2025 – 2025

At-a-Glance

Duration

May 2025

Date Submitted

3rd February 2025

Foreword(s)

The City Government of Tagbilaran has long been committed to fostering transparent, accountable, and participatory governance. As part of our efforts to empower citizens and ensure effective allocation of public resources, we proudly reaffirm our commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... to the principles of “Open Budget for a Responsive and Inclusive Budgeting.” This initiative reflects our dedication to transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, citizen engagement, and ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice in decision-making.

We aim to provide our citizens with easy access to essential budget information, including proposed budgets, enacted budgets, and actual expenditures. Our goal is to present this data in a clear and understandable format, ensuring that everyone can meaningfully participate in the budgeting process.

We recognize the importance of citizen engagement and will utilize various platforms, including live-streamed webinars on our social media channels, to facilitate real-time discussions and feedback. These sessions will provide an opportunity for the community to engage directly with the budget process, share their input, and contribute to decisions that affect their lives.

Regular monitoring and quarterly reporting on budget execution are integral to ensuring accountability. By providing updates, we will present to the public the progress of budget implementation and reinforce our commitment to openness and responsiveness.

This initiative is not just a commitment but a promise to the people of Tagbilaran that their voices will always be heard. We invite collaboration and continuous improvement as we work to build a more inclusive, responsive, and accountable government. Together, we can create a stronger, more engaged community where every citizen plays a vital role in shaping the future of our city.

Open Government Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Vision

This subsection details the Open Government Strategic Vision in your local area that should guide the commitments for the action plan period.

What is the long-term vision for open government in your context and jurisdiction?

The long-term vision for open government in Tagbilaran City is to establish a transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance system where citizens actively participate in decision-making, particularly in managing public resources. This aligns with our strategic vision of “Participatory Governance towards a Sustainable & Liveable Tagbilaran.” By embracing open budgeting, we aim to build a city where budgetary decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of the community.

We are committed to providing accessible, understandable budget information, enabling every citizen to engage meaningfully in the budgeting process. Through live-streamed webinars and interactive feedback platforms, we envision a future where citizens can track budget execution, offer input, and influence decisions that impact their lives. This approach will foster trust and ensure that the budget reflects the collective priorities of the community.

Our goal is to create a governance model that prioritizes transparency, responsiveness, and equitable resource allocation, improving the quality of life for all residents. By adhering to the principles of open budgeting, we believe Tagbilaran will become a more sustainable, liveable city, with active citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More driving positive change. This commitment will set an example for other local governments, creating a future where citizens shape the governance of their cities.

What are the achievements in open government to date (for example, recent open government reforms)?

The Tagbilaran City People’s Council (TCPC) received the following recognitions:

1. A Plaque of Appreciation from The Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas, Inc. for its role in the “Consolidating CSO Networks for Citizens’ Engagement Towards Participatory and Accountable Governance for Poverty Reduction” project, funded by the European Union. This plaque was awarded on May 16, 2023, for the project’s completionImplementers must follow through on their commitments for them to achieve impact. For each commitment, OGP’s Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) evaluates the degree to which the activities outlin..., which ran from November 2019 to May 2023.
2. A Plaque of Recognition from the City Mayor on July 1, 2024, during the 58th Charter Day celebration in Tagbilaran City, in acknowledgment of TCPC’s significant contributions to the community.
3. One of TCPC’s notable achievements was the successful 1st Opening of the Budget on October 15, 2024, marking an important milestone in promoting transparency, civic engagement, and participatory governance.

What are the current challenges/areas for improvement in open government that the jurisdiction wishes to tackle?

Despite our commitment to open government, there are several challenges and areas for improvement that we aim to tackle in Tagbilaran City. One major challenge is ensuring that budget data is accessible and user-friendly. While we are committed to providing comprehensive financial information, we must simplify complex data and present it in formats that are easily understood by all citizens, regardless of technical background. Additionally, while we aim to engage citizens through live-streamed webinars and interactive feedback mechanisms, reaching a broader audience and ensuring meaningful participation remains a challenge. We must work on increasing awareness and encouraging more inclusive involvement, particularly among marginalized groups. Another area for improvement is strengthening monitoring and accountability mechanisms. Although we plan to provide quarterly updates on budget execution, we recognize the need for better tracking and clearer communication to foster greater trust and ensure transparency. Lastly, capacity buildingEnhancing the skills, abilities, and processes of public servants, civil society, and citizens is essential to achieving long-lasting results in opening government. Technical specifications: Set of ac... for both government staff and citizens is essential. We are committed to equipping all stakeholders with the skills to effectively participate in the open budgeting process. By addressing these challenges, we aim to create a more transparent, inclusive, and responsive governance system that truly reflects the needs of our community.

What are the medium-term open government goals that the government wants to achieve?

In the medium term, the City Government of Tagbilaran aims to strengthen open government practices by focusing on key goals. First, we plan to improve the accessibility and clarity of budget information, making it easier for citizens to access and understand financial data through user-friendly platforms. This includes expanding the use of open dataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici... formats and incorporating visual aids like infographics to simplify complex budget details.

Second, we aim to significantly increase citizen engagement in the budgeting process. While we will continue utilizing live-streamed webinars, we also plan targeted outreach campaigns to encourage wider participation, particularly from underrepresented groups. This will involve promoting online consultations, surveys, and other feedback mechanisms to ensure all voices are heard in budget decisions.

Third, we will strengthen monitoring and accountability by enhancing the tracking of budget execution and making quarterly reports more accessible to the public. This will foster greater trust and provide citizens with real-time information on how public funds are being spent.

Lastly, we will focus on capacity building, offering training for both government personnel and citizens to improve their understanding of open budgeting and civic engagement. These efforts will create a more transparent, inclusive, and accountable government, ultimately contributing to a sustainable and liveable Tagbilaran.

How does this action plan contribute to achieve the Open Government Strategic Vision?

The action plan for open budgeting directly contributes to achieving Tagbilaran City’s Open Government Strategic Vision by promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. By proactively disseminating budget information in accessible formats and open data, the City empowers citizens to engage meaningfully in budget discussions, aligning with our vision of “Participatory Governance towards a Sustainable & Liveable Tagbilaran.”

The action plan also prioritizes citizen engagement through livestreamed webinars and feedback mechanisms, ensuring that diverse voices, especially from marginalized communities, are included in the budgeting process. This approach fosters inclusivity and ensures that the budget reflects the community’s needs and priorities.

Additionally, the commitment to quarterly updates on budget execution strengthens accountability, allowing citizens to track the allocation and use of public funds. This reinforces transparency and builds public trust.

Finally, the focus on capacity building for both government staff and citizens ensures that all stakeholders are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to engage in the open budgeting process effectively.

Overall, this action plan is a key step toward realizing a more transparent, responsive, and sustainable Tagbilaran, where citizens play an active role in shaping governance decisions.

How does the open government strategic vision contribute to the accomplishment of the current administration’s overall policy goals?

The Open Government strategic vision supports the administration’s policy goals by promoting transparency, accountability, and active citizen participation in governance. As Mayor Jane Yap emphasizes, her Ten-Point Executive Agenda prioritizes collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), which is exemplified through the partnership with the Tagbilaran City People’s Council (TCPC). This partnership, formalized on July 27, 2022, strengthens the commitment to engage CSOs at all levels of governance.

The TCPC, re-established in 2018, operates under the People Participation in Governance Ordinance approved in 2007, modeled after Naga City’s ordinance. This framework enables meaningful collaboration between the government and CSOs, ensuring that citizens are involved in decision-making. Under Mayor Yap’s leadership, this partnership has been reinforced, with CSOs actively participating in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of key projects.

By embedding CSOs into governance processes, the administration ensures inclusivity and responsiveness to community needs, aligning with its policy goals of good governance and transparency. This open, people-centered approach contributes to the administration’s vision of a more accountable and participatory government, making it easier to address the diverse needs of Tagbilaran’s citizens and ensuring that governance is responsive to their concerns.

Engagement and Coordination in the Open Government Strategic Vision and OGP Action Plan

Please list the lead institutions responsible for the implementation of this OGP action plan.

• Office of the City Mayor
• Office of the City Administrator
• Tagbilaran City CSO Desk Office
• Office of the City Budget Officer
• Tagbilaran City People

What kind of institutional arrangements are in place to coordinate between government agencies and departments to implement the OGP action plan?

The City Government of Tagbilaran has established a collaborative framework to coordinate the implementation of the OGP action plan across various government agencies and departments. At the core is the Open Government Steering CommitteeThe Steering Committee is OGP’s executive decision-making body. Its role is to develop, promote and safeguard OGP’s values, principles and interests; establish OGP’s core ideas, policies, and ru..., which includes key representatives from departments such as the City Administrator’s Office, City Budget, and City Mayor’s Office-Tagbilaran City CSO Desk. This committee oversees the open budgeting initiatives and ensures alignment with the city’s governance goals.

To facilitate coordination, the committee works closely with the Tagbilaran City CSO Desk to manage citizen engagement efforts, including live-streamed webinars and public consultations. The Office of the City Budget is responsible for providing accessible budget data and ensuring regular reporting on-budget performance.

Cross-departmental collaboration is supported through regular meetings and communication channels to share progress, updates, and address challenges. Capacity-building programs are also organized for government staff and citizens to equip them with the necessary skills to engage effectively in the open budgeting process.

These institutional arrangements ensure a coordinated, inclusive approach, allowing all relevant stakeholders to contribute to the successful implementation of the OGP action plan, fostering a more transparent, participatory, and accountable government in Tagbilaran.

What kind of spaces have you used or created to enable the collaboration between government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of this action plan? Mention both offline and online spaces.

To enable collaboration between the government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of the OGP action plan, the City Government of Tagbilaran has created both offline and online spaces. Face-to-face sessions, such as public consultations, annual general assemblies, and focus group discussions, allow for direct engagement between government officials and citizens. These interactions foster trust and ensure that the community’s input is integrated into the budgeting process.

In addition to offline spaces, webinar sessions are utilized to reach a wider audience. These online platforms enable real-time discussions, allowing citizens to engage with government representatives, ask questions, and provide feedback on budget-related matters.

To maintain continuous communication, the government also uses social media platforms and messaging apps to share updates, gather feedback, and keep the public informed about the progress of the action plan. These digital spaces help broaden participation, particularly among younger or more tech-savvy citizens, ensuring that diverse stakeholders are involved.

By combining face-to-face interactions with digital platforms, Tagbilaran creates multiple avenues for inclusive, transparent, and effective collaboration, ensuring the open government process is accessible to all.

What measures did you take to ensure diversity of representation (including vulnerable or marginalized populations) in these spaces?

To ensure diversity of representation, including from vulnerable or marginalized populations, the City Government of Tagbilaran took several measures to facilitate inclusive participation. One key strategy was close coordination with the Tagbilaran City People’s Council (TCPC) through the CSO Desk Officer, who helped ensure that community-based organizations (CBOs) and marginalized groups were actively involved in the co-creation and implementation of the OGP action plan.

Through this partnership, we reached out to vulnerable sectors such as women, youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ..., and persons with disabilities, ensuring their voices were represented. The CSO Desk Officer helped facilitate their participation in public consultations, town hall meetings, and focus group discussions, providing dedicated opportunities for these groups to engage in decision-making processes.

Additionally, the use of social media platforms and messaging apps extended our outreach, enabling individuals who were unable to attend face-to-face sessions to participate and provide feedback. These digital tools helped us engage a broader audience, particularly those with limited access to physical venues.

These efforts, along with targeted outreach and inclusive communication strategies, ensured that all voices, especially from marginalized communities, were heard and considered in the open government process.

Who participated in these spaces?

1. Tagbilaran City People’s Council
2. Association of Public-Private Techvoc Institutions in Bohol
3. Bohol Integrated Development Foundation, Inc.
4. Bohol Island Tour Guides Association of the Philippines, Inc.
5. Bohol Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association, Inc.
6. Bohol Retired Military Personnel Association, Inc.
7. Association of Persons with Disabilities Workers – Tagbilaran City
8. Bol-anon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TACECCO)
9. Bohol Paddlers Association, Inc.
10. Bohol Quality Tricycle Operators Drivers Association, Inc.
11. City Settler’s Alliance Neighborhood Association, Inc.
12. Kabalikat Radiocom Philippines Kabalikat Radio Communicators (RADIO Civic & Amateur Club) Association, Inc.
13. FCB Foundation, Inc.
14. Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines, Inc.
15. Manga Fishermen’s Association
16. Participatory Research, Organization of Communities and EducationAccountability within the public education system is key to improving outcomes and attainment, and accountability is nearly impossible without transparent policies and opportunities for participation ... Towards Struggle for Self-Reliance (PROCESS) – Bohol, Inc.
17. Youth Lead Philippines, Inc.
18. Association of Writers and Radio Announcers Foundation, Inc.
19. Bohol Diocesan Multi-Purpose Cooperative
20. Perpetual Community Cooperative (PHCCI)
21. City Government of Tagbilaran

How many groups participated in these spaces?

21

How many public-facing meetings were held in the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive...?

7

How will government and non-governmental stakeholders continue to collaborate through the implementation of the action plan?

The City Government of Tagbilaran, in partnership with the Tagbilaran City People’s Council (TCPC), is committed to the successful implementation of the action plan through continuous collaboration. Regular face-to-face meetings and forums will be held to engage stakeholders and track progress. If in-person meetings are not feasible, online platforms will be utilized to ensure uninterrupted work.

The CSO Desk Office plays a key role in organizing monthly meetings with the TCPC Board Members, providing a venue to address critical issues and monitor the implementation of the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More (OGP) action plan. These meetings will cover updates, challenges, and strategies for improvement.

In addition, the City Government and TCPC will conduct Annual General Assemblies to foster open dialogue and ensure community involvement in the process. The CSO-City Officials Joint Meetings will take place quarterly, offering a regular platform for collaboration between Civil Society Organizations and City Officials to ensure alignment and progress on OGP commitments.

Through this structured approach, both the City Government and TCPC aim to maintain transparency, accountability, and effective communication, ensuring the success of the OGP action plan and the active participation of civil society organizations.

Please describe the independent Monitoring Body you have identified for this plan.

The Board of DirectorsThe OGP Board of Directors provides the fiduciary and legal oversight of the OGP Support Unit and the Independent Reporting Mechanism, which is housed within the OGP Secretariat, a US-based 501 (c)(3)... of the Tagbilaran City People’s Council (TCPC) is designated as the independent Monitoring Body for the OGP action plan. This crucial role ensures impartial oversight of the plan’s implementation, providing an objective assessment of progress and identifying areas for improvement. By acting as the Monitoring Body, the TCPC Board will help maintain transparency, accountability, and integrity throughout the process, while fostering trust among stakeholders. Their independent evaluation will contribute to the overall success of the OGP action plan and reinforce the commitment to open governance.

Provide the contact details for the independent monitoring body.

• Marietta Gasatan, Chairperson, mgasatan.sprp@gmail.com
• Francis Bernard Batoy, Vice Chairperson
• Joahna Cabalit-Initay, Secretary
• Samuel Belderol, Treasurer
• Raul Llena, Auditor
• Fritzie Mae Zamora, PIO
• Jerry Juit, PIO
• Marissa Remolador, BOD Member
• Rita Ballener, BOD Member
• Lorna Cañete, BOD Member
• Augusto Pascual, BOD Member
• Ma. Mercedes Cutanda/Claire Jaluag, BOD Member
• Mauro Mejares, BOD Member
• Onesimo Caliniahan, BOD Member
• BOD Member

What types of activities will you have in place to discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders?

To discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders, we will implement several activities aimed at fostering engagement and transparency. Regular assessment and evaluation will be conducted to monitor the progress of the OGP action plan, helping to identify successes, challenges, and areas that need improvement. In addition, online surveys will be distributed to gather feedback from stakeholders, allowing for their voices to be heard and their input to be considered in the ongoing process. Lastly, multi-stakeholder open forums will be organized, providing a platform for diverse groups of stakeholders to engage in transparent discussions about the progress, challenges, and solutions related to the OGP commitments. These activities will ensure continuous collaboration, accountability, and active participation from all involved parties.

How will you regularly check in on progress with implementing agencies?

We will regularly check in on progress with implementing agencies through the availability of Minutes of Meetings, which will provide a detailed record of discussions, decisions, and action items from each meeting. This will ensure transparency and track accountability. Additionally, we will conduct continuous assessments and evaluations to monitor the ongoing implementation of the action plan, identify any challenges, and ensure that the agencies are on track with their commitments. These methods will help maintain consistent communication and ensure the successful implementation of the OGP action plan.

How will you share the results of your monitoring efforts with the public?

We will share the results of our monitoring efforts with the public through multiple platforms to ensure transparency and wide accessibility. Data presentations will be shared through social media, where key updates and findings will be communicated in an engaging and easily understandable format. We will also utilize radio programs to reach a broader audience, providing regular updates and insights on the progress of the OGP action plan. Additionally, the CSO General Assembly will serve as an important venue for sharing the results directly with stakeholders, allowing for discussions and feedback. These channels will ensure that the public remains informed and actively engaged in the implementation process.

Endorsement from Non-Governmental Stakeholders

• Marietta S. Gasatan, Chairperson, Tagbilaran City People

Letter to OGP 

Commitments

• • Open Budget for an Inclusive and Responsive Budgeting