Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman
MANILA -- Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Thursday lauded the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM) for being hailed as the best Mindanao region in terms of good governance, saying all the hard work of the Moro people and local government officials have paid off.
A total of 28 local government units (LGUs) of BARMM were awarded 2019 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the fifth overall in the whole country and the highest in Mindanao.
"I congratulate all the local officials of the 28 BARMM LGUs for earning the distinction of good governance. Mahirap bumangon mula sa deka-dekadang hirap ng digmaan at sa mantsa ng terorismo, pero napatunayan natin na kaya nating matupad ang ating mga pangarap basta sama-sama tayong kumikilos para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran (It is difficult to rise from the hardships of decades of war, the stigma of terrorism, but we have proven that we can achieve our dreams as long as we are united in the quest for peace and development)," Hataman said.
"The awards are well-deserved. We are glad that all the reforms we initiated and the hard work we put into it have really resulted in great things for our region. This award is for every Moro who dreamed of a better homeland and labored to get there," he added.
The former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) noted that four SGLG awardees come from Basilan -- the provincial government, Lamitan City and the municipalities of Maluso and Sumisip.
"Not so long ago, Lamitan City entered the national limelight as a stage for war and terrorism. But now, it is the hallmark and prime example of human resilience overcoming great adversity,” he said.
Lamitan City received its first SGLG in 2016, the first recipient in the 29-year existence of the now-dismantled ARMM. Since then, Lamitan City has consistently earned the distinction.
With the Basilan provincial government and the Municipalities of Maluso and Sumisip following suit, the Basilan lawmaker is hoping that more LGUs in BARMM will be recognized in next year’s awards.
"As the people in BARMM celebrate this milestone, we are reminded that the work is far from over. We achieved our dream of a Moro homeland, but it is only the beginning. Now is the time to work even harder and build the best future for the people," Hataman said.
The SGLG is an award, incentive, honor, and recognition-based program for all LGUs.
The program requires LGUs to continually progress and improve performance in the governance areas of financial administration; disaster preparedness; social protection; peace and order; business-friendliness and competitiveness; environmental protection; and tourism culture and the arts. (PNA)
