• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Interior and Local Government yesterday honored and recognized the province of Negros Occidental and 18 local government units, for being among the awardees of the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who led the distribution of SGLG awards to outstanding LGUs all over the country, at the Manila Hotel Tent City, told awardees “make this a symbol that you ran a good government – you ran a clean government, and an effective government,” apparently referring to the 2024 SGLG.
Among the national awardees are the province of Negros Occidental, highly urbanized Bacolod City, component cities of Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay, and Victorias, as well as the municipalities of E.B. Magalona, Hinigaran, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, and Manapla.
Mayor Marvin Malacon, who received the award, disclosed that E.B. Magalona and other towns who are recipients of 2024 SGLG awards, received P1,150,000 in incentives, P2 million for the cities, and P3 million for the province of Negros Occidental.
The financial support catalyzes these LGUs to continue their initiatives, improve service delivery, and uplift the lives of their constituents, according to the DILG. With this funding, they are empowered to sustain and enhance their programs and contribute to their communities’ overall progress and welfare, it added.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said this was the second time under his administration that Bacolod City received a Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award.
This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our department heads, program leaders, and the unwavering support of the people of Bacolod. Together, we continue to strive for excellence and progress for our beloved city, Benitez said.
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, the son of the Bacolod mayor, said being a SGLG awardee is a remarkable achievement, which underscores the City’s continued commitment to excellence in governance, service delivery, and transparency.
The younger Benitez said the Victorias City government received a special commendation for the efficient use of the SGLG incentive fund, reflecting the exceptional management and innovative initiatives that benefit the community.
SAGAY CITY
Sagay City Mayor Narciso “Narwin” Javelosa Jr., together with Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva received a Seal of Good Local Governance for 2024, said a press release from Sagay PIO.
The mayor and the vice mayor accepted the award, making Sagay City one of the few local government units in Negros Occidental to receive an SGLG award for three consecutive years.
A legacy of Javelosa’s administration, the award proves the quality of governance and public service the city government has offered in the past years, a press release said.
Together with Mayor Javelosa and Vice Mayor Cueva were City Administrator Atty. Ryan Bonghanoy, CPDO Dept Head Engr Maricon Lonzaga, City Budget Officer Eduardo Marquez, and DILG-Sagay Rodulfo Legaspi Jr.
Javelosa said that this award is a sweet Christmas gift for the Sagaynons and an inspiration to do more to make Sagay a progressive city.
EB MAGALONA
Mayor Marvin Malacon received the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) national award for the Municipality of E. B. Magalona.
According to a press release, Malacon was accompanied by DILG – E. B. Magalona Local Government Operations Officer VI Atty. Pierra Lamayo, OIC-Municipal Planning and Development Officer Atty. Saviya Basille Albestor, Municipal Treasurer Riza Diaz, Municipal Budget Officer Debbie Ann Monte, and Municipal Accountant Mardy Pagunsan.
Of the total 1,634 local government units (LGUs) across the country, there were 714 national awardees for SGLG this year, which included 41 provinces, 96 cities, and 577 municipalities.
Lamayo, for her part, said the national award means the Municipality of E. B. Magalona has excelled in 10 indicators of good governance, and this redounds to better services that ultimately benefit every Saraviahanon.
SGLG
The SGLG, enacted through Republic Act 11292 in 2019, is an institutionalized award, incentive, honor, and recognition-based program that encourages the commitment of LGUs to continuously progress and improve their performance in various governance areas.
The SGLG maintains the “all-in” principle where a local government must pass all 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.*
