Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda put ‘GUGMA and KABALAKA’ at the center of his second-term leadership, during his inaugural address at the city public plaza on Monday, June 30, where he presented a governance roadmap rooted in compassion, ethical service, and inclusive progress.
He framed his leadership approach through the principles of GUGMA and KABALAKA, outlining a development strategy built on empathy, accountability, and inclusive growth.
Miranda reaffirmed GUGMA—which stands for Governance, Upliftment, Green Resilience, Modernization, and Accessibility—as the central guide for the city’s direction. He vowed to uphold ethical and transparent leadership while actively addressing the needs of marginalized and disadvantaged sectors through targeted government programs.
The mayor also showed his commitment to building a climate-resilient Kabankalan by institutionalizing green policies that confront the effects of climate change. At the same time, he plans to modernize government systems through digital innovation, streamlining public services for greater efficiency and accessibility.
Miranda also strongly emphasized improving access to essential needs such as healthcare, education, and social welfare—ensuring that every Kabankalanon benefits from responsive and inclusive public service.
Stewardship, empathy
Through KABALAKA—a framework anchored in stewardship and empathy—Miranda laid out strategies to empower the youth, strengthen agricultural support, boost food security, promote rural development, and generate employment through business development.
He also pushed for stronger public health efforts through the “Alalay sa Ikaayong Lawas” initiative, which promotes preventive healthcare and wellness programs in local communities.
To boost local livelihoods, Miranda committed to providing technical training and livelihood support, especially to vulnerable and low-income groups. He also promised to institutionalize a robust disaster preparedness and response system, aiming to make Kabankalan a flood-free and climate-resilient city.
He vowed to strengthen peace and order by deepening collaboration with law enforcement agencies. He also pledged to expand cultural preservation efforts to protect and promote Kabankalan’s rich heritage and traditions.
Throughout his address, Miranda urged all sectors to unite behind a shared vision for progress. He emphasized that collective action remains key to turning his second-term agenda into meaningful and lasting change, as the city government leads with compassion, competence, and resolve.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.