Two Sangguniang Kabataan Federation presidents from Negros Oriental have tied for the province's highest performance rating, while Dumaguete City's youth leader also cracked the Top 5, according to results released by two civil society organizations.
Randolph Vince Bomediano of Bindoy and Jhon Michael Alvarez of Canlaon City both received a rating of 91.80 percent in the 2026 Midyear Governance and Participation Index, sharing the No. 1 spot among SK Federation presidents across the province. The assessment covered performance from January to June 2026.
Results Released by Civil Society Groups
The rankings were released by the Visayas Social Pulse Organization in partnership with Transparency Good Governance and Accountability Advocates. According to the organizations, the index was based on a province-wide survey involving 2,850 registered SK voters drawn from Negros Oriental's 19 municipalities and six cities.
The survey was conducted from July 8 to 20, 2026, with a stated confidence level of 95 percent and a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points, the organizations said.
Dumaguete's Aseniero Ties for Fifth Place
Dumaguete City SK Federation President Miguel Lorenzo Aseniero placed in the Top 5, tying with Guihulngan City's Melgin Bulandres Jr. Both received ratings of 89.90 percent.
Pamplona's Der Neath Divinagracia placed second with 91.15 percent, Bayawan City's Edilbert Boritlador ranked third with 90.75 percent, and Jaf Vincent Margasiño of Tanjay City placed fourth with 90.30 percent.
Complete Provincial Rankings
- Top 1: Randolph Vince Bomediano, Municipality of Bindoy — 91.80%
- Top 1: Jhon Michael Alvarez, Canlaon City — 91.80%
- Top 2: Der Neath Divinagracia, Municipality of Pamplona — 91.15%
- Top 3: Edilbert Boritlador, Bayawan City — 90.75%
- Top 4: Jaf Vincent Margasiño, Tanjay City — 90.30%
- Top 5: Miguel Lorenzo Aseniero, Dumaguete City — 89.90%
- Top 5: Melgin Bulandres Jr., Guihulngan City — 89.90%
- Top 6: Kaye Ferraren, Bais City — 89.50%
- Top 7: Sheina Truita, Municipality of Dauin — 89.15%
- Top 8: Crislaine Jugilon, Municipality of Amlan — 88.95%
- Top 9: Crisha Sabac, Municipality of La Libertad — 88.70%
- Top 9: Alyannah Shane Anque, Municipality of Valencia — 88.70%
- Top 10: Rica Abrio, Municipality of Mabinay — 88.35%
How Youth Leaders Were Evaluated
According to the Visayas Social Pulse Organization, SK federation presidents were assessed under two major standards: governance and participation. Respondents were first asked to identify the qualities and services they considered most important in evaluating youth leaders.
Program delivery ranked first, with 90 percent of respondents saying SK officials should actively implement skills training, mental-health initiatives, sports programs and livelihood opportunities. Coordination with local government officials came second at 84 percent, followed by representation at 78 percent, transparency at 74 percent, and presence and accessibility at 71 percent.
Sustained Programs Outperform One-Time Events
The report found that highly rated SK officials had shifted beyond isolated sports events and celebrations, instead implementing sustained programs in education, health, digital skills and employment.
According to the study, SK leaders with multi-month programs received ratings that were, on average, 24 percent higher than those whose initiatives were limited to one-time activities. The organizations also identified coordination with local governments — particularly working directly with mayors and councils to secure funding — as a major factor in the rankings.
The report noted increasing demand among young constituents for initiatives addressing mental health, online safety, digital literacy and employment, alongside traditional programs such as sports and community activities.
Index to Be Conducted Regularly
The Visayas Social Pulse Organization and Transparency Good Governance and Accountability Advocates said the index would be conducted on a regular basis to track SK federation presidents' performance, identify effective programs and strengthen youth participation in local governance.
The organizations also encouraged top-ranked youth officials to expand their programs, share successful practices with other SK councils and continue promoting transparency and accountability in the handling of SK funds.
By the Numbers
- 91.80% — Highest rating, shared by Bomediano (Bindoy) and Alvarez (Canlaon City)
- 2,850 — Registered SK voters surveyed province-wide
- 19 municipalities and 6 cities — Coverage of the survey across Negros Oriental
- 95% — Stated confidence level of the survey
- ±2 percentage points — Margin of error
- 24% — Average rating advantage of SK leaders with multi-month programs over those with one-time activities
- July 8–20, 2026 — Period during which the survey was conducted
- 90% — Share of respondents who cited program delivery as the top benchmark for evaluating SK leaders
Why This Matters
The 2026 Midyear Governance and Participation Index provides a data-driven, province-wide snapshot of how Negros Oriental's elected youth leaders are performing against criteria set by their own constituents — including program delivery, transparency and coordination with local governments. The finding that sustained, multi-month programs yield significantly higher ratings than one-time events signals a measurable shift in what young voters expect from their SK officials. With the organizations committing to conduct the index regularly, the results establish a public accountability benchmark for SK federation presidents across the province's 25 local government units.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Breaking News Negros Oriental