35 international students from Singapore in Naga for study visit

Bicol Mail

Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat welcomed 35 students from at least seven countries who are members of the Senior Management Class of the Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy of the prestigious National University of Singapore (NUS) for a brief study tour and exchange of ideas on the city’s best practices as an award-winning local government unit.

The students are either public officials or senior government employees in their respective countries and faculty members of the Singaporean university, considered one of the top educational institutions in Asia and the world.

They motored here from Albay and escorted by Libon, Albay Mayor Agnes P. Dycoco Wednesday (June 20) morning for a half-day briefing on Naga’s best governance practices, particularly in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation, and social welfare.

The presentations were made by Ernani Suron, executive officer of the Naga City School Board, City Health Officer Vito “Butch’ Borja, and City Social Welfare Officer Jimmy Reblando after an overview given by Mayor Bongat and City Planning Officer Willy Prilles, with brief introduction by City External Relations Officer Joe Perez and Libon Mayor Dycoco. A lively interaction followed after the presentations.

Bongat recalled that early in 2010 he was at the NUS to present the paper on the proposed Naga City River Revitalization Project and earned a World Bank feasibility study funding assistance in the process.

The visitors were treated to a lunch of native foods at Bob Marlin Restaurant before a quick tour of the city’s historical landmarks and its old and new business center through the assistance of the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office. Their entourage dropped by the famous CamSur Watersports Complex before motoring back to Legazpi City.