Gwen still top-performing guv

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has maintained her spot as the number one “Top Performing Governor” in the “Boses ng Bayan" national survey by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD).

This is based on the evaluation of the achievements of 82 provincial governors of the Philippines for the first quarter of 2024.

Last May, in the same survey Garcia was also the number one "Top-Performing Governor" in Central Visayas, with the same score of 93.8 percent.

In its Facebook page, RPMD said Garcia earned 93.8 percent, followed by Quirino Governor Dax Cua, who earned a 93.2 percent as job satisfaction rating.

Dr. Paul Martinez, RPMD’s executive director, said in a post that the survey highlights Garcia and Cua’s “exemplary leadership” and reflects their effective governance and public trust they earned

They were followed by Batangas Governor Dodo Mandanas (91.9%), Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Ann Hofer (91.8%) and Iloilo Governor Toto Defensor (90.3%).

Martinez said the survey is also significant in promoting accountability and improvement in governance, adding that is shows the “voice of the people”, and “provides a clear and compelling measure of both public sentiment and satisfaction”.

“All Provincial Governors were assessed, and only those who were the top performers in their respective regions qualified for the national ranking,” he said.

Parameters of RPMD’s assessment includes “adherence to legal and ethical standards,” “strategic vision and planning,” “decision making and problem-solving abilities,” and “financial stewardship.”

Other criteria of the survey were “crisis management strategies,” “development of public services,” “economic and social initiatives,” “community engagement,” and “innovations in public service.”

The “Boses ng Bayan” national survey of the provincial governors, which was conducted on March 18 to 24 and covered the first quarter of 2024, had 10,000 adults as respondents and had a margin of error of +/-1% and a 95% confidence level.

“This survey serves as a critical tool for evaluating Provincial Governors in the Philippines, fostering transparency, accountability, and continuous governance enhancement for the betterment of public service and community development nationwide,” Martinez said. (CEBU NEWS)