(Logo courtesy of DILG)
MANILA – A total of 493 local government units (LGUs) across the country have qualified for the 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for complying with standards of efficient leadership and outstanding public service, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Friday.
DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., in a statement, said this year's SGLG awardees consist of 28 provinces, 64 cities, and 401 municipalities.
Of the total, 94 LGUs bagged the award for the first time.
Central Luzon topped the list of awardees with 84, followed by Ilocos Region with 70 and Cagayan Valley with 41.
Eleven Metro Manila cities also bagged the award – Caloocan, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasay, Pasig, San Juan, Quezon City, and Valenzuela.
“Pagbati sa ating 2023 SGLG awardees! Tunay na kahanga-hanga ang inyong tagumpay dahil mas mahigpit ang ating batayan sa pagsusuri sa mga pamahalaang lokal ngayong taon (Congratulations to our 2023 SGLG awardees! Your success is truly remarkable because this year, we used stricter criteria in evaluating local governments). Keep up the good work!” Abalos said.
He noted that the SGLG's upgraded performance standards now focus on the outcome of the LGUs' efforts in addressing current challenges in local administration and public service delivery.
“Dito natin makikita kung may epekto ba talaga ang mga ginagawa ng LGUs sa kanilang mga komunidad (We will see here if the works of the LGUs really have a big impact on their communities),” Abalos said.
Enacted through Republic Act 11292, the SGLG is an institutionalized award, incentive, honor, and recognition-based program that encourages LGUs to commit to continuously progress and improve their performance along various governance areas.
To receive the SGLG award, LGUs must pass the assessment criteria across various 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 the arts; and youth development.
All LGU awardees will receive an SGLG marker and an SGLG Incentive Fund of PHP4 million for provinces, PHP2.3 million for cities, and PHP1.8 million for municipalities.
The 2023 SGLG national awarding rites will be held at The Manila Hotel on Dec. 13-14.
Marikina marks 27th cityhood anniversary
Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, meanwhile, urged the youth to contribute to the city’s success and help preserve its legacy of excellence.
Speaking at the celebration of Marikina’s 27th cityhood anniversary which coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, Teodoro also called on residents to sustain their unwavering resiliency and unite amidst challenges and adversities.
“Isang bangka tayo sa Marikina, hindi tayo magpapatinag sa anumang hamon ng buhay na ating haharapin. Lahat ay kaya nating lampasan basta tayo ay sama-sama at tulong-tulong (We in Marikina are in one boat. We will not be hindered by any challenges that we might face. We can surpass everything as long as we unite and help one another),” he added.
Marking the cityhood anniversary are grand motor parades accompanied by marching bands that toured the city’s barangays along with thanksgiving Masses celebrated at various parish churches around the city.
In her short message at St. Gabriel Parish in Marikina Heights, Rep. Maan Teodoro acknowledged the tremendous effort of the men and women of Marikina to achieve its cityhood status.
She also thanked the city’s employees for their contributions that spurred progress and growth.
Marikina became a highly urbanized city through Republic Act 8223 signed into law on Dec. 8, 1996.
The law recognized Marikina's economic significance, particularly in the shoemaking industry, and acknowledged its rapid urbanization and population growth. (PNA)
