Two Sangguniang Kabataan Federation Presidents from Bindoy and Dumaguete City emerged as the province's top-performing youth leaders with identical ratings of 94.85 percent, according to results from an independent evaluation survey released this week.
Randolph Vince Bomediano of Bindoy Municipality and Miguel Lorenzo Aseniero of Dumaguete City shared the top ranking in the comprehensive assessment conducted by Transparency Good Governance and Accountability Advocates in partnership with Visayas Social Pulse from January to February 2026.
The evaluation, part of the "BOSES NG BAYAN" local poll, assessed SK Federation Presidents across all municipalities and cities in Negros Oriental based on five key performance indicators: governance and compliance, program implementation and impact, fiscal management, leadership and representation, and innovation and public engagement.
Top Performers Across Five Categories
Following the tied leaders, Jhon Michael Alvarez of Canlaon City and Der Neath Divinagracia of Pamplona Municipality secured the third position with matching scores of 94.20 percent. Melgin Bulandres Jr. of Guihulngan City rounded out the top five with a rating of 93.75 percent.
The remaining top ten performers include Jaf Vincent Margasiño of Tanjay City (93.30 percent), Edilbert Bortiador of Bayawan City (93.00 percent), Kaye Ferraren of Bais City (92.50 percent), Crisha Sabac of La Libertad Municipality (92.15 percent), and Darlyn Grace Kibo of Siaton Municipality (91.75 percent).
Three additional leaders achieved notable rankings: Crislaine Jugilon of Amlan Municipality earned 91.20 percent, while Sheina Truita of Dauin Municipality and Alyannah Shane Anque of Valencia Municipality tied at 90.85 percent.
Comprehensive Evaluation Framework
The survey employed a rigorous five-category assessment system designed to measure youth leadership effectiveness across multiple dimensions. Governance and compliance evaluation focused on attendance records in Provincial, City, and Municipal Council sessions, transparency in fund liquidation and project documentation, and advocacy for youth-related ordinances and resolutions.
Program implementation assessment examined alignment with ten centers of participation including health, education, environment, peace-building, active citizenship, economic empowerment, social inclusion, governance, global mobility, and agriculture. Evaluators measured the percentage of barangay SKs and youth reached by federation projects, emphasizing measurable outcomes over activities.
The fiscal management category evaluated budget utilization efficiency, compliance with Commission on Audit standards, resource mobilization capabilities through partnerships with local government units, national government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities. Leaders with clean audit records received higher ratings in this category.
Leadership Unity and Innovation Metrics
Leadership and representation evaluation assessed federation unity through successful convening and coordination of SK Chairpersons, effectiveness in representing youth concerns to government bodies, and capacity building initiatives including trainings, assemblies, and summits for officials under their jurisdiction.
The innovation and public engagement category measured youth-centered solutions addressing contemporary issues such as mental health, digital literacy, climate action, and anti-drug abuse programs. Communication effectiveness through social media platforms, community consultations, and feedback mechanisms contributed to overall ratings.
Public trust scores, derived from credibility assessments among peers and community members, formed a crucial component of the evaluation framework. These ratings were supported by surveys and youth satisfaction measurements conducted independently.
Methodology and Statistical Reliability
The independent, non-commissioned survey maintained a sampling margin of error of plus or minus one percent at a 95 percent confidence level. Survey administrators randomly selected respondents, with distribution numbers per town and city allocated proportionally based on official voting population data.
This methodology ensured representative sampling across Negros Oriental's diverse municipalities and cities, providing statistically reliable results for comparative analysis of SK Federation President performance.
Youth Development Impact Assessment
SK Federation Councils, headed by elected presidents, hold responsibility for promulgating resolutions necessary to achieve youth objectives within respective barangays, operating within applicable code provisions. These leaders initiate programs designed to enhance social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and physical development of youth members.
The evaluation particularly emphasized sustainability factors, recognizing programs that continue beyond single terms or create lasting livelihood and skills development opportunities for constituents. Resource mobilization capabilities through strategic partnerships received significant weight in final scoring.
Federation unity assessments examined success rates in mentoring and coordinating all SK Chairpersons within jurisdictions, reflecting leadership effectiveness in building collaborative youth governance structures across barangay levels.
Provincial Youth Leadership Standards
The comprehensive evaluation framework establishes benchmarks for youth leadership effectiveness in Negros Oriental, providing measurable criteria for assessing governance performance, program impact, and community engagement levels among SK Federation Presidents.
Results indicate strong performance across multiple municipalities and cities, with top-rated leaders demonstrating excellence in transparency, fiscal responsibility, program innovation, and youth representation at higher government levels.
The survey's emphasis on measurable outcomes rather than activities reflects evolving expectations for youth leadership accountability and evidence-based governance practices in local government structures.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Transparency Good Governance and Accountability Advocates