DILG: Get SGLG award; Gwen accepts challenge

CEBU, Philippines — Newly-assumed Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has accepted the dare of the provincial head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that the Cebu provincial government can garner the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award for 2020.

It was DILG-Cebu Provincial Director Jerome Gonzales who challenged the new Capitol administration to step up and assist the cities and municipalities that it can hopefully receive the SGLG award, which it failed to get in 2018.

“That is a very good challenge and a challenge that we must accept. And not just hope, we must work for it,” Garcia told reporters.

At a public event Friday, Gonzales said in his speech that the main challenge for the provincial government is how it can get the 10 percent of the component local government units to pass the SGLG award.

This requirement was part of the conditions set in 2018 for provinces to receive the award. In the case of provinces, at least 10 percent of the total number of cities and municipalities under its jurisdiction must pass the SGLG criteria.

“So we are presenting this to the new set of elected officials to serve as a challenge for the new governor, new vice governor and to our Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) members…give focus on helping the component LGUs get the award,” he said.

For Cebu Province, Gonzales said at least five or six component LGUs must get the award, or they can achieve 10 LGUs if possible.

“We have to help each other to get the SGLG 2020 award. We still have time until December… For all of us, this is a challenge. Let us set sight on SGLG 2020. I am confident we can get the award,” he said.

Back in 2018, DILG upscaled the assessment criteria for the SGLG award. Before, when it only use to require LGUs to pass certain core and component areas, in 2018 the LGUs were required to meet all areas of concern.

An LGU has to pass all the four core components, namely: 1.) Financial administration; 2.) Disaster preparedness; 3.) Social protection; and 4.) Peace and order. There are also three other essential areas: 1.) Business-friendliness and competitiveness; 2.) Environmental management; 3.) Tourism, culture, and the arts.

That is why in that year, no province or city in Region 7 received the award, said Gonzales. But it was not only in Central Visayas, Gonzales said there was really a sharp decline of passers in the national overview in 2018.

Moreover, Gonzales said the provincial government should also focus on the “timely” implementation of DILG-related projects.

“This time, not only the physically accomplishment that is accounted for by the department but includes the bond utilization and the disbursement and utilization fund,” he said, recalling that before the Capitol also had a challenge on the utilization rate of its Performance Challenge Fund.

“However, that was not the burden of the LGU because there was a problem with the approval of the Department of Health of a (certain) project. But all other performance areas of the provincial government has passed with flying colors, a feat that is unsurpassed by any other province in the region,” he said. (FREEMAN)