Survey Group Ranks Negros Occidental Mayors in "Pulso ng Bayan" Survey

The Transparency, Good Governance, and Accountability Advocates (TGAA), in partnership with Visayas Social Pulse (VSP), has released the results of its "Pulso ng Bayan" survey for the first half of 2026, ranking what the group calls the top performing city and municipal mayors in Negros Occidental. According to the survey group, the ranking is based on its Governance and Participation Index (GPI). It is the group's own survey and is not an official government ranking.

How the survey was conducted

The group said the survey covered 4,000 adult respondents across all cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental, conducted through face-to-face field interviews from July 20 to 30, 2026, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. It described the survey as an independent, citizen-based assessment of local leadership "not based on politics, popularity, or position, but on measurable performance, trust, and public confidence." The ranking cards carry the label "First Half of 2026 (January to June 2026)."

The Governance and Participation Index

The group said the index has two pillars of 50 percent each, and that the total performance score is the sum of the two:

• Governance Index (50 percent): service delivery in health, education, infrastructure and public safety; sound financial management; economic development and local investment; and leadership marked by transparency and accountability.
• Participation Index (50 percent): citizen engagement, responsiveness to public concerns, effectiveness of programs, and community involvement in decision-making.

The ranking as released

The following list reproduces the ranking posted by the survey group, with names and places as written on its cards. Where the group lists several mayors under one rank, they are shown together. The municipality of Richard Jaojoco appears on the card as "Toloso."

• Top 1 (92.80%): Greg Gasataya (Bacolod City); Weng Lizares (Talisay City); Gerry Roxas (Municipality of Murcia); JR Tabujara (Municipality of Cauayan)
• Top 2 (91.35%): Bading Escalante (Cadiz City); Nicor Anejo (Municipality of La Castellana); Paul Alvarez (Municipality of Ilog)
• Top 3 (90.65%): Mayette Javellana Yao (Bago City); Joemar Alonso (Municipality of Pontevedra); Mika Escalante (Municipality of Manapla)
• Top 4 (90%): Renato Gustilo (San Carlos City); Richard Jaojoco (listed as Municipality of Toloso)
• Top 5 (89.45%): Benjie Miranda (Kabankalan City); Bebe Era (Municipality of Calatrava)
• Top 6 (88.95%): Beboy Yap (Escalante City); Gina Montilla Lizares (Sipalay City); Ella Garcia (Municipality of Moises Padilla); Emmanuel Aranda (Municipality of Binalbagan)
• Top 7 (88.25%): Raymund Tiongson Jr (Himamaylan City); Abelardo Bantug (Victorias City); Daph Reliquias (Municipality of Hinoba-an); Migs Yulo (Municipality of Isabela)
• Top 8 (87.60%): Leo Rafael Cueva (Sagay City); Grace Arceo (Municipality of Hinigaran)
• Top 9 (87.15%): Joedith Gallego (Silay City); Miguel Antonio Peña (Municipality of Pulupandan)
• Top 10 (86.50%): Joelu Jalandoni (La Carlota City); Matt Malacon (Municipality of Enrique B. Magalona)

The group's statement

"Good governance is not measured by promises, but by the trust of the people. The Governance and Participation Index reflects how Negrenses experience leadership — in their health centers, schools, roads, livelihoods, and in how quickly their leaders listen and respond. We congratulate the mayors who have earned the confidence of their constituents, and we encourage all local leaders to continue leading with transparency, accountability, and genuine public service."

The statement was attributed to the organizers, TGAA and VSP. This report relays the survey group's published results; the figures have not been independently verified by this newsroom.

Graphics: TGAA / Visayas Social Pulse