TARLAC CITY — Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap on Wednesday highlighted her administration’s first-year accomplishments and its continuing efforts to deliver essential services despite budget and governance challenges.
The mayor said the Supreme Court’s 13–0 decision affirming the mandate and eligibility to serve as city mayor put to rest the issue of ineligibility and upheld the will of the electorate.
The administration also faced a reenacted budget for much of the year, with the 2026 annual budget only approved in July. Despite the compressed timeline, the mayor said the city government is working to accomplish in months what would normally take a full year.
Among the key accomplishments cited was the delivery of social assistance to more than 60,000 beneficiaries, including financial and medical aid. A feeding initiative also provided 680,000 meals in 100 days, while supplemental feeding in day care centers was launched to address child malnutrition.
For senior citizens, the annual cash benefit was increased from ₱500 to ₱2,000, while burial assistance rose from ₱3,000 to ₱5,000.
The mayor also highlighted employment and livelihood programs, including regular job fairs that helped more than 5,000 individuals find employment and seven trade fairs that generated significant opportunities for local MSMEs. More than 9,300 residents likewise received skills training.
On agriculture, the city expanded support for farmers through seeds, fertilizers, financial assistance, fuel subsidies, machinery and technology-based farming programs. The city also plans to strengthen food security through improved rice production, aquaculture and the establishment of a regional cold center.
Healthcare was identified as another major priority. The city conducted 65 medical missions serving around 17,000 residents, expanded services in health centers and prepared for additional diagnostic equipment and a free prosthesis program. Home visits by doctors have also reached hundreds of patients, particularly those with greater medical needs.
In education, the city allocated ₱30 million for scholarships, benefiting around 1,830 scholars, while strengthening early childhood education, reading programs, special education and teacher development.
The administration also emphasized its vision of a clean, walkable and livable Tarlac City, expanding solid waste programs such as “Kalat to Heart,” urban greening and community wellness initiatives.
Disaster preparedness and public safety were likewise strengthened through new rescue and emergency equipment, expanded CCTV plans, additional patrol vehicles and fire trucks, and improved traffic management.
The mayor said digital transformation and accountability remain central to the administration, including the digitalization of government services, an HR information system, free public Wi-Fi, a planned city call center and stronger procurement controls.
The mayor stressed that governance should no longer be centered solely in the mayor’s office, but should empower departments and involve citizens, civil society, businesses, farmers, youth, religious groups and persons with disabilities in planning.
“Above the challenges, we continue to rise,” the mayor said, emphasizing that the administration’s accomplishments are the result of a collective effort involving government workers, communities and various sectors of Tarlac City.
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