BACOLOD City – Newly-elected Bago City mayor Marina Javellana-Yao has called on her constituents to unite and take part in transforming the city into a stronger, more progressive, and inclusive community.
“Let us make Bago better,” Javellana-Yao said in her inaugural address during the oath-taking and inauguration ceremony held on June 27 at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center.
She took her oath before Executive Judge Mary Jennifer Protasio-Arches of the Bago City Regional Trial Court, accompanied by her family, led by her husband Aquino Yao.
The new mayor urged all Bagonhons to rally behind her administration’s vision for real, impactful, and lasting change.
“Making the city better is an obligation for every Bagonhon who hopes, dreams, and prays to live to see and experience a ‘Bag-o nga Bago’—a new Bago,” she said.
The mayor emphasized that her administration will be anchored on the ASENSO BAGO governance framework, which outlines the city’s strategic roadmap for the next three years.
ASENSO stands for Agriculture; Sustainable livelihood; Education, culture, and sports; Natural resources and environment; Social services, health, and gender equality; Opportunities for employment; Business and tourism; Access to roads and basic utilities; Good governance and transparency; and Optimization of communication and technology.
“This is a fitting tagline of where this new administration is leading Bago,” the mayor said, as she outlined her flagship programs such as Iskolar Bago, Ulikid Bago, Asenso Bago Service Caravan, Asenso Bago Aksyon Dayon Center, Lab Bago, Botika Bago, Build Bago, and Digital Bago.
“These are the causes I am strongly committed to realizing — with the support of all of you, our dear Bagonhons — as we move toward our shared dream of a Bag-o nga Bago, a beautiful and loving reality,” she added.
Positioning her leadership as a “fresh start and a new beginning for our city,” Mayor Javellana-Yao called on her constituents to stand united with elected city officials as partners in progress, encouraging active public engagement and meaningful dialogue.
She also reminded department heads and city employees to continue demonstrating the highest standards of public service, maintaining their commitment and devotion to the people of Bago.
“The election has long passed. Let us not allow politics to hinder our dream for ASENSO BAGO. Let us move forward together—strengthened by faith and driven by a shared purpose—to serve our constituency and put into practice the oath we have sworn today,” she said.
Alongside Mayor Javellana-Yao, councilors Robert Javellana, Imelda Precion, and Dr. Leonilo del Carmen also took their oaths as newly elected members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod./PN
