CITY OF MALOLOS – The provincial government of Bulacan and ten of its city and municipalities bagged this year’s Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) during the 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance National Awarding Cluster 2 held at The Manila Hotel on Thursday.
The award was given to the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) and to the City of Baliwag and the municipalities of Angat, Balagtas, Bulakan, Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT), Guiguinto, Marilao, Pandi, Pulilan and Santa Maria.
The city and town mayors are: City of Baliuag Mayor Ferdie Estrella, Angat Mayor Jowar Bautista, Balagtas Mayor Eladio Gonzales Jr., Bulakan Mayor Vergel Meneses, DRT Mayor Ronaldo “RTF” Flores, Guiguinto Mayor Agatha “Agay” Cruz, Marilao Mayor Henry Lutao, Pandi Mayor Rico Roque, Pulilan Mayor Maritz Ochoa and Sta. Maria Mayor Omeng Ramos.
DILG Secretary and Council of Good Local Governance (CGLG) Chair Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. said the recipients of the most coveted award for local governance bagged their recognition because of their commitment to effective and transparent governance.
Abalos said that in order to qualify for the SGLG award, local government units (LGUs) must pass the assessment criteria across various governance areas including 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.
Since the launching of SGLG in 2014, Bulacan has been a consistent awardee, securing the SGLG seal for seven straight years.
Bulacan has also received P4,000,000.00 worth of SGLG Incentive Fund Subsidy which will be used for high-impact projects in the province.
Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando acknowledged the collective efforts of the PGB that led to the attainment of the prestigious recognition.
“This recognition is a reflection of our collective commitment to effective governance, sustainable development, and service excellence. I am truly honored to lead a community that consistently upholds the principles of good governance. Let this milestone inspire us to continue working together for the betterment of our beloved Bulacan,” Fernando said.
The People’s Governor also recognized the efforts of the SGLG in motivating and challenging the local government units to meet the criteria, therefore resulting in a more productive and progressive administration that benefits their respective constituents.
Also, the LGUs in the country that passed the criteria for 2023 SGLG award received the SGLG Incentive Fund Subsidy amounting to P1,800,00.00 each.
Abalos challenged all the LGUs throughout the country to render a much more effective governance.
“My fellow people in the government, there is a speed improvement in artificial intelligence, in telecommunications, technology, medical and natural science. Let us not allow to be left behind , that’s why our experts are here, our standard is to get what what is far much right and better and to bring them down to the grassroots and let us capacitate each other because for our country to achieve its highest heights is for us to work together and make it to happen,”( Mga kasama, sa gobyerno, mabilis ang improvement sa artificial intelligence, sa telecommunications, technology, medical and natural science. Huwag tayong papahuli rito, kaya nandito ang mga eksperto –na ang mga batayan natin ay lalo nating kunin ang tama, ibaba natin sa grassroots at i-capacitate natin ang bawat isa. Dahil ang ikatataas ng ating bansa ay tayo rin ang magdadala), the secretary added.
