LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III has once again proven its excellence in local governance after receiving the province’s Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award along with 29 local government units (LGUs).
Gov. Guico, who received the award with Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II on December 10 at the Tent City, The Manila Hotel, expressed elation over the award as he commended the various LGUs who were likewise accorded the distinction of being excellent in governance.
“We all did this together. Indeed, competence in professional work and commitment to public service enrich the defining character of our Team Pangasinan! And with your unfailing support, our journey continues, improving lives and transforming communities in the whole province,” Governor Guico said.
SGLG is an institutionalized recognition-based program that uses various parameters to assess the LGUs. It was launched in 2014 after evolving from the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) in 2010.
According to the DILG, this year (2024) holds the highest number of awardees in the history of SGLG, with 714 LGU recipients, of which 41 are provinces, 96 are cities, and 577 are municipalities.
Awardees received the SGLG marker and SGLG Incentive Fund, which will be utilized to finance local development initiatives to bolster national goals and strategic thrusts.
Based on the DILG report, this year’s assessment was upgraded as it included more outcome-based criteria to fully distinguish good performance that meets the demands of the so-called ‘public accountability and reform.
Parameters used in assessing the LGUs are as follows: 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.
Anchored on a performance management system that focuses on three salient features, specifically LGUs’ capacity to deliver basic services; governance principles like transparency and accountability; and performance such as accomplishment of plans, fund utilization, and frontline service delivery. Leadership plays a crucial role in determining the passers, the DILG reiterated.
Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla called on all local chief executives to unite in aid of good governance. “Good governance should unite us all. Politics divide us but good governance should put us all together,” he said.
The other LGUs in the province that were accorded the SGLG award are as follows: Alaminos City, San Carlos City, Anda, Asingan, Balungao, Bani, Basista, Bayambang, Bolinao, Bugallon, Infanta, Labrador, Lingayen, Malasiqui, Manaoag, Mangatarem, Mapandan, Pozorrubio, Rosales, San Fabian, San Manuel, San Nicolas, San Quintin, Sta. Barbara, Sto. Tomas, Sison, Tayug, Urbiztondo, and Villasis. (Ruby F. Rayat/Jairus Sibayan, Adrian Carlo dela Cruz PIMRO)
