BAGUIO CITY – A total of thirteen Cordillera local government units (LGUs) conferred with the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) have received their financial grants through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera on December 27, 2022.
DILG Cordillera Regional Director Araceli San Jose said that 13 LGUs received a total of PHP67 million to support the implementation of R.A. No. 11292, also known as the Seal of Good Local Governance Act, provides financial assistance to qualified LGUs through the Local Governance Performance Management Program of the Department.
“The subsidy shall be used for local priority projects or reforms that will help enhance transparency and accountability in all local government transactions, intensify LGUS disaster preparedness, cultivate the welfare of vulnerable sectors, ensure the delivery of quality health services, support the vision of quality education for all, promote peace and order, safeguard and preserve the integrity of the environment, boost economic development, foster the welfare of vulnerable sectors, and foster the welfare of vulnerable sectors,” she underscored.
The passers composed of twelve (12) municipalities and one component city made it to the list of recipients that met the “all or nothing” criteria to get the prestigious award.
The municipal awardees are: Bucay, Dolores, La Paz, Peñarrubia, San Juan, and Tayum in Abra; Conner, Apayao; Asipulo, and Lamut in Ifugao; Pasil, and Rizal in Kalinga and Bontoc in Mountain Province and received PHP5 million each, while the component city of Tabuk received PHP7 million.
The Seal of Good Local Governance, also known as “Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal”, is awarded by the DILG annually to deserving provinces, cities, and municipalities that perform well in the ten governance areas.
RD San Jose said that the 2022 SGLG requires LGUs to pass all ten (10) governance areas — financial administration; disaster preparedness; social protection and sensitivity; health compliance and responsiveness; sustainable education; business-friendliness and competitiveness; safety, peace and order; environmental management; tourism, heritage development, culture and arts; and youth development.
She underscored that the SGLG puts premium on integrity and good performance to institutionalize good governance reforms in the continuing pursuit for meaningful local autonomy and development.
Adding, “the Seal has been instrumental in upholding transparency and accountability, cultivating progressive actions in addressing emerging concerns, and influencing behavior in supporting national and international development goals,” she said.
“The financial grants that you received today is attestation of your hard work for upholding the standard of transparency, integrity, and service delivery. May you continue to do better in the succeeding runs of the SGLG and to provide better quality services and facilities to your constituents,” she said. By PMTG
