MANILA — Former Dumaguete City Mayor Atty. Felipe Antonio “Ipe” Remollo served as the keynote speaker at the Leadership and Governance (LeGo) Fellowship Program for Mayors Convocation Ceremony, which took place on March 12, 2026, at Ibis Styles Manila, Araneta Cubao, Quezon City. This event marked the conclusion of a seven-month intensive training program designed to enhance participatory governance among local chief executives across the Philippines.

Introduction to the LeGo Fellowship Program

The Leadership and Governance (LeGo) Fellowship Program for Mayors is an executive-level initiative orchestrated by the Jesse M. Robredo Foundation (JMRF) in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Philippines. This program is specifically tailored for mayors and aims to fortify their abilities in participatory governance, which is vital for effective local administration.

Underpinned by the governance philosophy of the late Jesse M. Robredo, the program promotes the values of “Matino, Mahusay, at May Puso,” which translate to integrity, competence, and compassion in public service. The fellowship includes creating institutional frameworks that facilitate the establishment of Local People’s Councils, thereby fostering a culture of citizen participation and consultation in local governance.

Keynote Address by Atty. Ipe Remollo

During the convocation, Atty. Remollo addressed the cohort of new mayors, sharing insights derived from his extensive experience in local governance. Having served as the mayor of Dumaguete, a city known for its academic and cultural heritage, Remollo is uniquely positioned to speak on the importance of effective leadership given its distinctive challenges and opportunities.

Remollo outlined the necessity of building institutional resilience within local governments. He emphasized that genuine public service revolves around creating systems that outlast individual terms of office, ensuring that governance remains responsive to the needs of the community despite the changing political landscape. This message aligns well with the fellowship’s purpose of institutionalizing practices that encourage transparency and accountability.

The leadership training emphasized by the LeGo program encourages mayors to move beyond traditional personality-driven leadership models. It teaches them to engage citizens as partners rather than mere beneficiaries. By implementing the skills acquired through the fellowship, these local chief executives will be better equipped to address community needs effectively, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life in their municipalities.

A significant outcome of the program was the graduation of ten mayors representing various regions, including:

• Mayor Sylvester Austria, Jaen, Nueva Ecija
• Mayor Trina Andres, Rizal, Nueva Ecija
• Mayor Mike Galang, Floridablanca, Pampanga
• Mayor RB Aquino, Moncada, Tarlac
• Mayor Belen Raga, Lumban, Laguna
• Mayor Queen Alarva, Pila, Laguna
• Mayor Markgregor Sayson, Libon, Albay
• Mayor Prescilla Calizo, Balete, Aklan
• Mayor Katkat Suan, Allen, Northern Samar

Modules Covered During the Fellowship

Participants engaged in a series of intensive modules covering critical aspects of local governance:

• Module 1: Introduction to People’s Participation, focusing on the Naga City Governance Model.
• Module 2: Building Local Government and Civil Society Organization Partnerships to foster collaborative governance.
• Module 3: Institutionalization of Empowerment Ordinances to ensure legal mandate for citizen participation.
• Module 4: Sustaining Mechanisms for People Empowerment, encompassing continual learning and digital engagement strategies.

Official Comments and Support

In his address, Remollo highlighted the need for mayors to adapt to an evolving political climate that often emphasizes immediate results over long-term sustainability. His presence as the keynote speaker underscored the symbolic link between experienced local leaders and the emerging generation of public officials tasked with meeting modern governance challenges.

Organizers of the event reiterated their gratitude to the mayors for their commitment to the program despite the demands of their roles. They encouraged the graduates to continue pursuing good governance in their respective localities, in line with Sec. Robredo’s legacy.

As the leaders dispersed following the ceremony, there was a shared sense of purpose among them. The real test of the fellowship’s impact will lie in how these mayors implement the lessons learned in their communities. They will face immediate challenges regarding budgets, political dynamics, and public expectations.

Through the continued partnership between JMRF and KAS, future iterations of the LeGo Fellowship are expected to further empower local governments, promoting a culture of participatory governance that resonates with Jesse Robredo’s vision for the Philippines. Graduates are anticipated to foster accountability, transparency, and citizen engagement as fundamental pillars of their public service.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Jesse M. Robredo Foundation