The Office of Mayor Leni Robredo issued a statement on FB dated July 5, 2025. Titled “Leni institutionalizes 2028 Finish Lines as Naga’s development framework,” the statement read:
Affirming the city government’s role as a catalyst for local development and steward of public welfare, Mayor Leni Robredo has signed Executive Order No. 003, series of 2025, institutionalizing the “2028 Finish Lines” as Naga’s strategic development framework.
The directive seeks to align all plans, programs, and resources of the city government with the 2028 Finish Lines — a set of thematic goals aimed at driving inclusive and sustainable progress in the next three years.
Robredo cited City Ordinance No. 2017-072, or the People’s Budget Ordinance of Naga City, as one of the bases for her directive. The ordinance institutionalized participatory budgeting and full-cycle transparency in the crafting and monitoring of the city’s annual appropriations.
It ensures that public funds are allocated in response to the identified needs and priorities of the Nagueño community, anchored on people-centered governance.
The 2028 Finish Lines outline the city’s strategic aspirations across eight thematic outcome areas: Economic Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, Mobility and Order, Health, Education and Well-Being, Heritage and Identity, Digital Governance, Good Governance Innovation, and Local Government Efficiency.
Nestor Felix, who worked for an international NGO for more than 25 years which included responsibilities in corporate planning and M&E management (monitoring and evaluation), commented through a series of FB posts on the roll out of the 2028 Finish Lines. He expressed concern that it lacked a clear explanation of their timelines. These are excerpts from his posts:
- Thriving, inclusive economy
- Cleaner, greener, flood-resilient Naga
- Walkable, orderly, secure city
- Healthy, educated Naguenyos with decent homes
- Preserving heritage, history, and language
- Open, digital, participatory governance
- Center of good governance and innovation
- Efficient, agile, citizen-focused LGU
These “Finish Lines” are inspiring but should come with a clear explanation. They are long-term goals that are difficult to fully achieve by 2028. Without this, Mayor Leni Robredo risks being unfairly judged as underperforming, which her critics could use against her if she runs for higher office.
It’s crucial to categorize goals as short-, medium-, or long-term and track progress. Publicly sharing results will manage expectations and show achievements, even if some goals need more than three years. A clear monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan with measurable indicators and accountability mechanisms is also needed.
Broader Comments
Naga City’s new direction under Mayor Leni is ambitious, but given limited resources, three years may not suffice to meet all Finish Lines. Real success lies in ensuring benefits reach the poor, not just the middle class and wealthy. This requires a pro-poor approach, active participation, and visible results, particularly in reducing poverty and improving services.
A success scenario for each goal would show tangible benefits—such as job creation, flood protection, safer streets, affordable housing, better health and education, and heritage-based livelihoods—that directly improve the lives of the city’s most vulnerable.
Naga’s adoption of a results-oriented approach is notable, moving beyond reporting completed projects to measuring real improvements in people’s lives. However, public expectations must be managed. Without clarifying that many goals extend beyond 2028, the city risks criticism for unachieved targets.
To make data-driven governance work, Naga needs not just M&E but a full MEAL system (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning). A dedicated MEAL unit would ensure transparency, track progress, and help the LGU become a genuine learning organization.
Finally, while LGU Naga consulted stakeholders, ordinary citizens need barangay-level orientations to understand the framework. Technical terms like “outcomes” and “impacts” mean little without context. Without shared understanding, participatory governance risks being seen as “beautiful but misconstrued.”
On Results-Oriented Governance
A results-oriented approach means measuring not just outputs (projects completed) but outcomes (real improvements). Too often, accomplishments like new schools or aid distributions are celebrated even when they don’t change lives. True achievement is about outcomes: better literacy, improved health, reduced poverty.
We need to shift focus from what was done to what was improved. Success should be measured by lasting benefits, not just completed projects.
The header image and other featured photos courtesy of the Office of Mayor Leni Robredo and the City of Naga. This article was edited by Raul F. Borjal, co-editor at Dateline Ibalon.
About the author
NESTOR “NONO” FELIX worked in various capacities for an INGO for more than 25 years before retiring in 2011. From 1997 to 2010, he was the corporate planning and M&E manager covering Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
He contributes commentaries and opinions to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (bylined Nono Felix). He also writes poems for the Philippines Graphic. He is a recipient of the 2024 Nick Joaquin Literary Awards’ Graphic Salute Award bestowed by the Philippines Graphic in the poetry category, an award he also received in 2023. He lives with his family in San Felipe, Naga City.