Millions of incentives released to Negros LGUs

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional office gave out Thursday checks worth millions of pesos to 17 local government units (LGUs) in the province for achieving the Seal of Good Housekeeping.

Among the recipients were the local governments of Pulupandan, La Castellana, Pontevedra, Moises Padilla, Don Salvador Benedicto, Manapla, Isabela, Toboso, Bago City, Murcia, Victorias City, Talisay City, Bago City, Cadiz City, Murcia, EB Magalona, Hinigaran, Sagay City and Silay City.

The Provincial Government will also receive P7 million for achieving the same good performance, DILG Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta said.

DILG's Seal of Good Housekeeping project has been inspiring some Provincial Governments to come up with programs boosting local governance.

Every year, DILG selects LGUs worthy of receiving the Seal of Good Housekeeping.

Local governments that receive the Seal are entitled to financial assistance through the Local Government Support Fund.

In 2011, 69 provinces, 111 cities, and 1,145 municipalities were conferred the Seal of Good Housekeeping.

Launched on March 17, 2011, the Seal of Good Housekeeping encourages local governments to be transparent in financial dealings.

To qualify, a local government must score high in development planning, budgeting, revenue mobilization, financial management and budget, procurement, and resource mobilization.

The program also looks into local legislation, revenue generation, resource allocation, human resource development, transparency and accountability.

Under the program, the towns who are given the seal will receive P1 million, P3 million for component cities and P7 million for the provinces. (TDE)