• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
E.B. Magalona Mayor Matthew Louis Malacon has been recognized as one of the top 10 performing municipal mayors in Negros Occidental in the first quarter 2026 governance assessment conducted by the RPMD Foundation Inc.
Malacon ranked fourth, posting a 78.9 percent index of governance (IOG), according to the independent public opinion research, consulting, and analytics firm.
The RPMD Foundation, known for its nationwide “Boses ng Bayan” (Voice of the People) surveys and index of governance, evaluates local chief executives based on a composite indicator that combines public trust and job performance ratings.
Leading the rankings was Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara, posting 84.2 percent IOG, followed by Ilog Mayor Paul Alvarez with 83.5 percent; Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, 83.2 percent; Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo, 81.9 percent; and Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso, 80.4 percent.
Others are Isabela Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo, 77.6 percent; Binalbagan Mayor Emmanuel Aranda, 76.9 percent; Hinigaran Mayor Grace Arceo, 76.5 percent: La Castellana Mayor Añejo Nicor, 75.9 percent; Calatrava Mayor Marilyn Era, 73.8 percent; Manapla Mayor Mika Escalante, 72.7 percent; Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco, 72.3 percent; Hinoba-an Mayor Daph Reliquias, 71.6 percent; and Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Antonio Peña, 70 percent.
RPMD said the trust component measures public confidence in a mayor’s integrity, transparency, accessibility, credibility, and commitment to public service.
The performance component, meanwhile, evaluates the effectiveness of local chief executives in implementing programs, managing public funds, delivering essential services, and responding to the needs of their communities.
The assessment also covered key governance areas, including leadership, fiscal management, social services, public safety, infrastructure, disaster preparedness, environmental management, digitalization, transparency, and responsiveness to constituents.
The survey was conducted from April 1 to 8, gathering responses from 5,000 respondents across Negros Occidental, representing all socioeconomic classes.
Dr. Paul Martinez, RPMD executive director and global affairs and political analyst, said the results highlight the importance of combining public trust with effective governance.
“Trust gives public officials the mandate to lead, but performance determines whether they deserve to keep that trust. The strongest leaders are those who translate public confidence into visible, measurable, and lasting improvements in the lives of their constituents,” Martinez said. | GPB
