Garcia top performer

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is Central Visayas “Top Performing Governor” based on the latest “Boses ng Bayan" national survey conducted by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD), which has “meticulously evaluated the performance of all provincial governors in the Philippines for the first quarter of 2024.”

The survey highlighted Garcia’s “outstanding leadership” after achieving an exceptional score of 93.8%.

 This, RPMD said in its Facebook post, is “a testament to her strategic vision, effective governance, and constituent solid approval.”

 Garcia is followed by Siquijor Governor Jake Villa, who earned a job satisfaction rating of 90.5%, then by Negros Oriental Governor Chaco Sagarbarria (89.7%), and Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado (86.3%).

“The survey offers a detailed and insightful analysis of regional public opinion. These parameters ensure that the findings are robust, reliable, and reflective of the true sentiments of the population, said Dr. Paul Martinez, RPMD executive director.

He said the significance of their “comprehensive evaluation” is that it reflects a commitment to promoting accountability and continuous improvement in governance.

As stated, the “comprehensive survey” aims to “provide an in-depth analysis of governance quality across the nation's provinces, offering valuable insights into the effectiveness and impact of local leadership.”

 Martinez said that scores above 50% indicate satisfactory performance, showcasing strong constituent approval and a significant impact on their officials’ communities. This benchmark serves as a measure of effective governance and public trust.

Parameters for the survey include “adherence to legal and ethical standards”, which “ensures that governors operate within the bounds of law and uphold ethical principles.”

It likewise includes “strategic vision and planning”, which “evaluates the governor’s ability to set long-term goals and develop effective plans to achieve them,” as well as “decision-making and problem-solving abilities” which “assess how well governors make critical decisions and address challenges.”

Another RPMD parameter is “financial stewardship measures” which looks at fiscal responsibility and transparency in managing public funds.

Other criteria are crisis management strategies, which evaluates “preparedness and effectiveness in handling emergencies and crises”; development of public services, which focuses on “improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and literacy”; “economic and social initiatives”, which “assesses the impact on economic growth, employment, agriculture, public safety, and environmental sustainability”; “community engagement”, which evaluates “efforts to involve and address the needs of the community”; and “digital innovations in public service”, which “measures the integration of technology to enhance service delivery.”

The Central Visayas governors’ survey is part of the broader "Boses ng Bayan" study conducted from March 18 to 24 that involved 10,000 adult participants to “reflect perspectives of 65.7 million registered voters in the country.”

Per RPMD, the study “employed a meticulous random selection process to ensure diverse and proportionally accurate representation from each region, aligned with official voter demographics” and has a margin of error of +/-1% and a 95% confidence level.

“By providing a comprehensive and detailed assessment, the survey promotes transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in governance, ultimately contributing to the betterment of public service and community development across the nation,” it said. (CEBU NEWS)