DILG ups criteria for Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has raised the standard requirements for the Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping.

DILG has raised the bar higher for the Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping to be awarded next year for deserving local government units (LGUs), DILG Davao del Norte Provincial Director Alex Roldan said in an interview.

Other than the basic requirements, the DILG expects LGUs to have no questionable financial transactions and no disallowances.

Roldan explained that Seal of Good Housekeeping only ensures that LGUs have established the proper bidding process which fosters transparency and that the civil society sector is well-represented in governance.

Along with the Anti-Red Tape Act (Arta), the Seal of Good Housekeeping wins people’s appreciation of the government leading to gaining their trust.

But taking a close scrutiny on the financial management of LGUs will ultimately bring in people’s trust to government.

“People would eventually trust if they know how their money is being used,” he said.

Roldan said ordinary Filipinos may at first not be able to notice and appreciate good financial management but he was optimistic that they would eventually cooperate with the government if they see changes with the way it operates.

Meanwhile, Roldan cited the presence of a comprehensive development plan (CDP) as important in picking the Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping as this provides the blueprint of LGUs’ development direction.

“Politicians come and go but the development direction of the LGUs stays,” he said.

To steer the development direction, Roldan viewed as necessary to strengthen the ranks of career executives of chief positions, as they stay behind running the government when politicians leave their positions.

CDP is necessary but only a few LGUs are coming up with it, while those which have it, need to update the plan.

Roldan attributed the constraints to the financial capacity of LGUs as CDP processes demands creation of a number of working teams, committees and consultants. (RGA/JDA-PIA11)