What can local leaders learn from a city-state that transformed itself from a developing nation into one of Asia’s most advanced economies? For 100 young and hopeful legislators from the Philippines, the answer lies not simply in Singapore’s success, but in the principles of governance that helped shape it.
This was the key takeaway of the selected legislators from across the Philippines who recently completed the Executive Education Program for Young Legislators at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) of the National University of Singapore (NUS).
A partnership with the Philippines’ National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL), the program is designed to expose emerging local leaders to new perspectives on public policy and governance. From July 23 to September 2, 2026, the young legislators engaged in discussions, exchanged ideas, and examined Singapore’s experience in building effective institutions and delivering public services.
At the heart of the learning experience was the role of good governance in driving sustainable development. Atty. Mike Gimelo, a councilor of Agno, Pangasinan who was selected to join the program, shared that he learned the value of long-term planning, strong institutions, accountability, and real public service.
“I believe that that the lessons ultimately come back to public trust. Good governance is built on trust, and trust is earned through consistent, honest, and meaningful public service. As a councilor of Agno, I am reminded that the true impact of governance is felt in in the lives of our constituents, the opportunities we create, and the quality of service we deliver,” Atty. Gimelo said. “In the Philippines, building public trust remains a challenge, but it is one we must continue to address by staying true to our mandate and ensuring that our decisions and actions always put our constituents first – and in my case, my fellow Agnoans.”
While Singapore’s experience cannot simply be replicated in the Philippines, its lessons must be adapted to local realities and translated into practical policies and better services. For Atty. Gimelo, that means bringing what he learned back to Agno. “The real measure of what we have learned is how we bring these insights home to Agno and translate them into better policies, stronger communities, and meaningful improvements in the lives of the people we serve,” he said.
For NMYL and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the program is an investment in a new generation of local leaders. As the 100 young legislators returned to their respective communities, the challenge is to turn lessons from Singapore into action that entails strengthening public service, adapting good governance practices, and building the public trust that allows communities to move forward.
