7 ARMM towns cited for good governance

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  â€“ At least seven towns in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were awarded with the “Seal of Good Housekeeping” by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as recognition of their good performance in governance.

The awardees are the municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Parang, Sultan Mastura and Upi in Maguindanao; Ganassi and Wao in Lanao del Sur; and Siasi in Sulu.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas handed the checks worth P1 million each to the mayors of the seven towns during the second ARMM Local Government Units Summit at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here.

The P1 million cash award is actually a Performance Challenge Fund to help the seven towns jumpstart their development initiatives that are aligned with national priorities.

The seven ARMM towns were chosen for adhering to the tenets of good governance, specifically advances on performance, accountability, transparency, and participation.

Fifty-one municipalities in the ARMM reportedly pre-qualified for the “Seal of Good Housekeeping.”