ASOG, Iloilo Provincial Government, and Transcend explore tobacco control partnership

On 14 July 2025, the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), through the Ateneo Policy Center (APC), conducted courtesy calls with the Provincial Government of Iloilo (PGI). This courtesy visit was made possible through the dedicated coordination efforts of Transcending Institutions and Communities Inc (Transcend), ASOG’s partner civil society organization in the Western Visayas region. The PGI was represented by Provincial Administrator Dr Raul N Banias, while the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of the PGI was represented by Provincial Health Officer II Dr Maria Socorro Quiñon. These courtesy calls were conducted to explore opportunities for partnership with and participation of ASOG’s local government partners in the region, in preparation for the implementation of the second round of the Leadership and Governance in Tobacco Control (LGTC) Executive Course.

The first courtesy call was held with the Provincial Administrator, Dr Raul N Banias, during which the team introduced the LGTC and discussed with Dr Banias next steps to formalize the partnership with ASOG, Transcend, and PGI through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Led by Mr Alen Josef Santiago, Program Manager for the Tobacco Control and Governance (TCG) program of APC, and Ms Ma. Cecilia Agpawa, Program Manager for Transcend, the discussions with the PGI highlighted the opportunities for supporting LGUs in Iloilo in areas of policy development and enforcement that are compliant to the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The second courtesy call was held with Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon. The LGTC was received positively by the PHO, with Dr. Quiñon expressing support for the project. Upon consultation, the PHO and Transcend identified specific areas in tobacco control policy development and enforcement that may be strengthened through the capacity development component of the LGTC. Transcend and PHO agreed to endorse a list of LGUs who may participate in the LGTC later this year.

Alongside PGI and Transcend, ASOG hopes that the LGTC will help improve tobacco control in the province of Iloilo. As a province that historically has been supportive of tobacco control measures, by strategically targeting cities and municipalities that are either yet to be FCTC-compliant or in need of support in strengthening policy implementation, the team hopes that LGUs from various contexts may come together to share both their challenges and best practices with one another. Under the LGTC, participants are positioned to not only learn about tobacco control theoretically, but with people’s experience on the ground as well.

About the Leadership and Governance in Tobacco Control Executive Course

The Leadership and Governance in Tobacco Control (LGTC) Executive Course is a four (4)-day training course, equivalent to thirty-six (36) training hours, intended for local government unit (LGU) employees, elected officials, and other stakeholders at the local level. This course aims to strengthen the capacity of these individuals in utilizing their platforms and empower champions of tobacco control in their jurisdictions. This course streamlines all efforts and resources being allocated for training on different tobacco control areas being done by other organizations (CSOs, POs, and other government agencies). It aims to provide the needed framework and models on good governance in tobacco control for the country’s emerging leaders. In accordance with its goal of “forming leaders, leading reforms,” ASOG envisions a pipeline of emerging leaders equipped with the right mindset and skill set that makes them effective leaders and reform champions in their respective localities. ASOG is set to implement the second round of the course in the province of Iloilo, in partnership with Transcend.