LOCAL officials from 23 towns in Western Visayas are now ready to improve their services after graduating on Thursday from the Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP).
The MLGP, a one year two-module program spearheaded by the University of the Philippines Visayas, Department of Health, and Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), aims to improve the services of municipal mayors, municipal health officers, and planning and development officers.
The graduates are Aklan Mayors Denny Refol of the municipality of Altavas, Erlinda Maming of Banga, Delfina Ramos of Batan, Quezon Labindao of Buruanga, Ma. Lourdes Mirafloes of Ibajay, Vincent Navarosa of Libacao, Alfonso Gubatina of Madalag, Wilbert Ariel Igoy of Malinao, James Solanoy of Nabas, Gene Fuentes of Tangalan,
The other graduates are Mayors Emmanuel Galila of Nueva Valencia of Guimaras, and Ernesto Estrao of Hinoba-an, and Richard Jaojoco of Toboso, both in the province of Negros Occidental.
Slated to graduate on March 17 are Iloilo Mayors Juan Alvarez of the municipality of Ajuy, Geefre Alonsabe of Alimodian, Christine Garin of Guimbal, Vicente Escorpion Jr of Igbaras, Ligaya Apura of Lemery, Macario Napulan of Miagao, Eduardo Servidad of San Joaquin, Suzette Alquisada of Tigbauan, Vicente Gargaritano Jr of Tubungan, and John Tarrosa of Zarraga.
A panel of health leaders evaluated the presentation of the graduating municipal mayors.
For the next batch of the training program, the participants from Negros Occidental, which is now part of the Negros Island Region, will have to go to Silliman University in Negros Oriental.
The MLGP training program may resume for other participants in Panay and Guimaras after the May 9, 2016 national and local elections.