Good governance rarely makes noise—but it makes progress. That quiet but determined momentum was evident during the CIT Meeting held on February 13, 2026, at Baganihan Hall in New Lucena, Iloilo. Twenty-five participants composed of CIT members, CSO representatives, and SEA Inc. staff convened to refine the municipality’s Strategic Plan and strengthen the implementation of SEA Inc.’s Bayanihan Governance (IPAT-SIAD) Program.

Presided over by Mr. Rodulfo Asesor, the session focused on reviewing program updates, correcting gaps in the existing Strategic Plan, refining key Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs), and preparing the groundwork for its formal adoption through a resolution to the Sangguniang Bayan. The meeting built on previous planning work conducted in Jelicuon Valley, acknowledging that shifting realities—particularly in youth development and economic growth—require constant recalibration.

“A plan is only powerful when it is implementable,” Mr. Asesor emphasized, underscoring the need for clarity, legality, and accountability. Participants scrutinized how PPAs align with appropriate departments and clarified the applicability of provincial ordinances within municipal jurisdiction. Even communication systems were strengthened, with the agreement to establish group chats for emergencies and real-time coordination—an example of governance adapting to practical needs.

One of the most forward-looking proposals discussed was the establishment of a Children’s Museum anchored on the Cultural Mapping initiative of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Rather than envisioning a traditional museum of static artifacts, the body proposed an interactive, child-friendly learning space focused on cultural appreciation and local history. The initiative may be placed under the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office to ensure its educational orientation.

The conversation expanded to heritage preservation, including century-old acacia trees, church properties, and historically significant structures. Participants emphasized the importance of proper documentation, ownership verification, and the submission of detailed inventories as part of the cultural mapping process. Beyond the museum, the group recognized the need for a comprehensive heritage development strategy for the municipality.

The meeting concluded with a shared understanding: refining the Strategic Plan is not about compliance—it is about direction. Under SEA Inc.’s Bayanihan Governance Program, planning is not a routine exercise but a collective commitment to ensure that every initiative is clear, inclusive, and ready for action. In New Lucena, governance continues to evolve—not through grand declarations, but through disciplined collaboration.