Fariñas completes executive education program in Singapore

Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas receives his Certificate of Completion and Certificate of Appearance during the face-to-face session and graduation of the Executive Education Program for Young Legislators, held August 30 to September 1, 2026, at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore. (Photo courtesy of VMO)

 

By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff Reporter

LAOAG CITY—Vice Mayor and Sangguniang Panlungsod presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas has completed the Executive Education for Young Legislators (EEYL) program at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) of the National University of Singapore, bringing home new insights on governance, public policy and leadership.

The executive education program ran from July 23 to August 31, 2026, with Fariñas attending the face-to-face session and graduation activities from August 30 to September 1 at LKYSPP.

The program was conducted in partnership with the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) and LKYSPP. Fariñas personally received his Certificate of Completion and Certificate of Appearance during the graduation activities.

He was the lone participant from Ilocos Norte among 99 legislators nationwide and one of eight participants from Region I.

Fariñas said the program gave him an opportunity to learn from distinguished leaders, exchange ideas with fellow legislators and gain insights that could help him further perform his responsibilities as head of Laoag City’s legislative department.

Among the topics discussed were the Southeast Asian perspective of the Philippines, politics and disaster response, Singapore’s social policies, artificial intelligence, climate change law, governance and public service, and cybersecurity and public policy.

He said the experience strengthened his commitment to serving Laoagueños and helping build a more responsive, innovative and future-ready local government.

“Leadership is a continuous journey of learning, listening, and serving,” Fariñas said.

The Ilocos Times learned that Fariñas, who is the NMYL executive vice president. was accompanied by his wife, Janina Medina-Fariñas,

 

Volunteers commended

Meanwhile, Fariñas thanked the city government of Batac and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte for passing separate resolutions recognizing the Fariñas Fire and Rescue Volunteers for their response to the Batac Public Market fire on July 5, 2026.

He said the commendations were meaningful as they affirmed the volunteers’ service, courage and commitment to helping others in times of need.

Fariñas shared the recognition with the members of the volunteer brigade who responded to the fire, as well as firefighters, rescuers, government agencies, local government units, private organizations and citizens who worked together to contain the blaze and protect lives and property.

“We did not build this volunteer brigade for recognition. We built it to be there when someone needs help,” he said.

“As volunteers, we respond without expecting anything in return. When the alarm sounds, we do not ask whose city it is, whose property is burning or what we will receive afterward. We simply go where help is needed and do whatever we can with the people, equipment and resources we have,” Fariñas added.