CATBALOGAN CITY — In an effort to enhance the planning and efficiency of upcoming programs aimed at providing better services to the people, as well as improving the state of transportation in the city, the Catbalogan City Local Government Unit (LGU) conducted a benchmarking activity in Borongan City on January 22-23, 2025.
This activity allowed the Catbalogan delegation to learn from Borongan’s innovative programs, particularly the “Libre Sakay” initiative—a city-operated bus system. The program offers free rides to senior high school and college students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), health workers, and even tourists traveling across various parts of Borongan.
The Catbalogan team also visited the Borongan City Transport Terminal, where they observed the efficient payment and collection systems used by transportation franchise operators. This system has played a significant role in improving the flow of transportation and increasing the local revenue of Borongan City.
In his social media post, Catbalogan Mayor Dexter Uy expressed his gratitude for the visit, saying, “This benchmarking activity in Borongan is an important step in learning from other cities that have implemented successful programs. We are committed to bringing similar innovations to Catbalogan to improve our services and make transportation more accessible for everyone.”
The Catbalogan City LGU delegation also praised the warm welcome and invaluable support extended by the Borongan City government. They lauded Borongan’s dedication to being a guiding force for better programs and plans that will benefit the residents of Catbalogan.
This exchange of knowledge and collaboration between cities is a step towards strengthening unity and ensuring more effective services for the public. | via The Samar Chronicle with additional reporting and photos from Mayor Uy thru the Catbalogan City Information Office)