‘NIR’s Top-Performing and Most Trusted City Mayors’ – RPMD

The RPMD Foundation Inc. “Boses ng Bayan” governance assessment has identified the top-performing and most trusted city mayors across the Negros Island Region (NIR), highlighting local leaders who have earned the confidence of their constituents through effective governance, responsive leadership, and public service delivery.

The survey used the Index of Governance (IOG)—a composite measure of public trust and performance ratings—to assess residents’ perceptions of the effectiveness of their city governments and local chief executives. As one of the first major governance assessments conducted following the creation and integration of the Negros Island Region, the survey provides an important benchmark for measuring public sentiment, leadership effectiveness, and governance performance across the region.

Leading the survey is Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagabarria, who posted the region’s highest Index of Governance (IOG) rating of 83.5%, supported by 83.5% trust and 84.2% performance ratings.

Closely behind is Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya, who registered an 82.9% IOG, including 82.7% for trust and 83.1% for performance.

While Sagarbarria recorded the highest numerical score, the difference between the two leaders falls within the survey’s ±1% margin of error, placing both mayors at the summit of the rankings and statistically tying them as the highest-rated city executives in the Negros Island Region.

Their results reflect exceptionally strong public confidence and underscore the importance of sustained governance performance, accessibility, and responsiveness in earning constituents’ trust. The strong showing of both leaders also highlights an emerging trend in local governance: citizens increasingly reward leaders who combine visible public service delivery with effective management, accountability, and measurable results.

Following closely are Cadiz City Mayor Bading Escalante, who earned an 81.9% IOG, with 81.3% trust and 82.6% performance ratings; San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo, who posted an 81.7% IOG, with 81.1% trust and 82.4% performance ratings; and Bayawan City Mayor John Raymund, Jr., who registered an 81.1% IOG, supported by 80.4% trust and 81.9% performance ratings.

Their results demonstrate sustained public confidence and effective local governance, placing them among the region’s most highly regarded city leaders.

The clustering of scores above the 80-percent threshold suggests that governance strength is not concentrated in a single locality but is distributed across several city governments within the Negros Island Region. This indicates that multiple local government units are successfully responding to citizen expectations and delivering services that resonate positively with the public.

Next in the rankings are Bago City Mayor Mayette Javellana-Yao, who obtained an 80.8% IOG, with 80.2% trust and 81.5% performance ratings, and Bais City Mayor Luigi Goñi, who posted a 79.9% IOG, including 79.6% trust and 80.3% performance ratings. Both leaders received strong public evaluations, reflecting favorable assessments of their leadership, responsiveness, and service delivery.

Also posting notable governance ratings are Guihulngan City Mayor Mikoy Reyes, who earned a 78.7% IOG, with 78.1% trust and 79.4% performance ratings, and Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tiongson, Jr., who registered a 77.7% IOG, with 77.8% trust and 77.6% performance ratings. They are followed by Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda, who obtained a 75.7% IOG, supported by 75.3% trust and 76.2% performance ratings, and Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, who posted a 74.9% IOG, with 74.1% trust and 75.7% performance ratings.

Further down the rankings are Tanjay City Mayor Pepe Orlino, who recorded a 72.2% IOG, with 71.5% trust and 72.9% performance ratings; Escalante City Mayor Beboy Yap, who earned a 70.6% IOG, with 70.2% trust and 71.1% performance ratings; Talisay City Mayor Weng Lizares, who posted a 69.0% IOG, including 68.6% trust and 69.4% performance ratings; and Canlaon City Mayor Batchuck Cardenas, who registered a 68.0% IOG, with 67.3% trust and 68.8% performance ratings.

Completing the regional rankings are Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, who obtained a 66.0% IOG, supported by 65.8% trust and 66.2% performance ratings; Sipalay City Mayor Gina Montilla-Lizares, who posted a 63.9% IOG, with 63.1% trust and 64.7% performance ratings; Victorias City Mayor Abelardo Bantug, who earned a 61.4% IOG, including 61.5% trust and 61.3% performance ratings; and La Carlota City Mayor Joelu Jalandoni, who registered a 60.4% IOG, supported by 60.2% trust and 60.6% performance ratings.

Notably, all city mayors included in the assessment surpassed RPMD’s 55% governance benchmark, indicating generally favorable public evaluations throughout the region. While every mayor achieved a passing mark, the survey underscores that governance excellence is ultimately measured not by passing alone but by the ability to continuously strengthen public trust, improve performance, and deliver meaningful outcomes for citizens.

𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲

The “Boses ng Bayan” Negros Island Region Survey forms part of RPMD Foundation Inc.’s nationwide quarterly governance assessment program. The study was conducted April 1-8, 2026, randomly interviewed 5,000 respondents across the Negros Island Region, representing various socio-economic classes and demographic sectors. The survey carries a ±1% margin of error at a 95% confidence level and is independent and non-commissioned, ensuring that the findings remain free from political influence and serve as a credible reflection of public sentiment.

City mayors were evaluated using a comprehensive governance framework that measured leadership effectiveness, fiscal management, delivery of basic services, peace and order, infrastructure development, disaster preparedness and response, environmental stewardship, transparency and accountability, accessibility and responsiveness to constituents, digital governance, and overall public satisfaction. Trust and performance rating were then combined to generate the Index of Governance (IOG), RPMD’s principal metric for assessing governance effectiveness.

According to RPMD Executive Director and Global Affairs Analyst Dr. Paul Martinez, the findings carry historic significance because they represent one of the first major governance assessments conducted following the creation and integration of the Negros Island Region (NIR).

“This is more than a ranking of city mayors. It is an early measure of how the people of the newly integrated region view governance, leadership, trust, and public service.”

Dr. Martinez said the survey establishes an important benchmark against which future governance performance in NIR can be measured and provides leaders with valuable insights into public expectations and governance priorities.

“Those of performed well should strive to do even better. Those who did not score as highly should listen, reflect, and improve. The goal is better governance for everyone.”

He emphasized that while all city mayors surpassed the passing benchmark, public service should always aim for excellence rather than mere compliance.

“The higher the score, the stronger the public confidence. Governance is a continuing commitment to earn and keep the trust of the people.” Dr. Martinez likewise congratulated all city mayors included in the survey for earning the confidence of their constituents.

KEY FINDINGS

• 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐥 “𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠” 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲’𝐬 ±𝟏% 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫.

• 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝟖𝟏%, 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞.

• 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧.

• 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟓𝟓% 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤, 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧.

• 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠.* (RPMD)