A Few Good LGUs

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

 In the recent awarding of the local government units composed of provinces, cities, and municipalities in various premium hotels in Manila, only 20.4 percent have been awarded with the most coveted and stringent on criteria basis 2022 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).

DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. congratulated with elation the 350 LGUs composed of 18 provinces, 60 cities, and 272 municipalities that hurdled the SGLG’s parameters. He said the 350 LGUs are sources of inspiration to other local governments in pursuing meaningful local autonomy and development.

“COVID-19 is a huge roadblock in public service yet this year’s SGLG awardees persisted. I congratulate all 350 LGUs for their exemplary performance in delivering quality public service to their localities and for bagging the 2022 SGLG Award. I commend you for your commitment to raising local governance standards despite the challenges brought by the pandemic and other calamities we have faced in recent years,” Abalos said.

The Secretary said that out of 1,715 provinces, cities and municipalities nationwide, only 20.4 percent have received the Seal this year. 

“Nasala nang mabuti ang ating mga LGU tungo sa paglilingkod na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan ngayong pandemya,” he disclosed.

The Philippines has 81 provinces, 145 cities and 1,489 municipalities.

Among the 48 LGUs in Pangasinan only the provincial government, two cities, and seventeen towns were feted at the Manila Hotel- Fiesta Pavillon held in December 14, 2022.

These recipients were the cities of Alaminos and San Carlos and the towns of Aguilar, Alcala, Asingan, Anda,  Balungao, Basista, Bugallon, Burgos, Lingayen, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, San Fabian, San Manuel, San Quintin, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Urbiztondo, and Villasis.

Basista Mayor Jolly R. Resuello acknowledged Abalos statement that the SGLG is the golden standard in gauging how competent public officials who run an LGU.

“SGLG iyan ang pinakamataas na pagkakilala ng DILG sa isang bayan,” the young mayor of the fourth class  town in central Pangasinan cited.

Resuello said the achievement of the rustic town ensued because of the cooperation of the offices of the mayor, vice mayor, the lawmaking body, and department heads.

He disclosed to Northern Watch Newspaper the town had been a recipient of the SGLG in the years 2016 under Mayor Manolito de Leon, 2019 under De Leon and himself when he became the mayor in June 30, 2019, and this year.

“Sikat diyan pag nakamit ng isang bayan ay SGLG matamis na pagkilala ng DILG sa isang bayan, hindi mayor kundi ang bayan mismo ang na parangalan”.

Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil proudly told this Newspaper that the coastal town was the recipient of the most sought plaudit from the national government.

Bataoil said that the capital town - in getting one of the nods of the SGLG - increased the collection of the public coffer by twenty percent in 2019 and chalked up the revenues by nine percent when the Corona Virus Disease-19 pandemic wrought havoc.

“Kahit na hirap ang situation these supported us by way of paying their taxes by the way of paying their rentals in various stores and another business establishment. So we were able to survive. And were able to provide the needs of our people,” the President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Pangasinan Chapter said about the taxpayers in the first class town.

The aid the mayor gave to his constituents during those trying times were relief goods, food packing, financial assistance and others.

Under the SGLG program, competing LGUs must pass the following governance areas: financial administration and sustainability; 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.

The incentive fund given to the winner amounts to P9.5 million for a province, P7 million for a city, and P5 million for a municipality.