Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental — On May 27, 2025, Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao warmly welcomed Bago City Mayor-elect Hon. Mayette Javellana, along with re-elected Sangguniang Panlungsod Members Hon. Imee Precion and Hon. Robert Javellana, for a benchmarking visit to the Himamaylan City Public Library—an institution recognized for its innovative approach to public education and community engagement.
The delegation’s visit aimed to explore best practices and design strategies that could inform the development and enhancement of Bago City’s own public learning facility. The Himamaylan City Public Library, which has garnered multiple awards for excellence in public service and innovation, served as an ideal model for this purpose.
During the visit, the Bago City officials were given a comprehensive tour of the library’s facilities along with its integrated co-working space. This modern amenity stood out as a key point of interest, offering a flexible, tech-enabled environment designed to support students, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers. The co-working space represents a progressive shift in the traditional library model, blending access to information with collaborative workspaces that foster creativity, productivity, and inclusivity.
Vice Mayor Gatuslao shared insights into the planning and operational strategies that led to the library’s success, emphasizing the importance of aligning educational infrastructure with the evolving needs of the community. He also highlighted the role of strong local government support in maintaining high standards for public services.
Mayor-elect Javellana expressed her admiration for Himamaylan’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity in public service. She noted that the visit provided valuable insights that will help shape the future of Bago City’s library system, particularly in creating spaces that go beyond traditional learning to promote digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and community collaboration.
This benchmarking initiative underscores both cities’ dedication to advancing education, innovation, and community development through strategic collaboration and shared learning.