Bago City, located just south of Bacolod in Negros Occidental, has been recognized for its outstanding achievements in local governance, earning three awards at the 2024 Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Awards held in Iloilo City. The awards, presented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 6 (Western Visayas), celebrated Bago City’s excellence in disaster preparedness, tourism and heritage development, and youth development.
The city’s disaster preparedness was highlighted by its innovative ‘Elevating Information, Education, and Communication: Mobile Info Van on the Go’ project. Launched during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the ‘Khan’ mobile information van brought essential educational and disaster-related information directly to communities, especially those in remote areas without access to modern media. The van, equipped with a large screen and speakers, proved to be an effective tool for visual and audio communication.
In the realm of tourism and heritage, Bago City’s ‘Booming GREEN AgriTourism: Cultivating a Sustainable Future for Bago City Tourism’ initiative was recognized. This project not only transforms local farmers into agri-entrepreneurs but also maximizes farm potential and promotes sustainable tourism, focusing on the triple bottom line of Planet, People, and Prosperity.
The city’s efforts in youth development were acknowledged through the ‘Leadership Communities (LeadCom) Bago’ program. This initiative empowers young leaders to create and implement projects that address community challenges. In its inaugural year, the program positively impacted 2,215 community members, led by 70 promising young leaders.
These awards underscore Bago City’s commitment to excellence and innovation in local governance, setting a benchmark for other local government units in the region.