FIFTEEN local government units (LGUs) in Pampanga have been conferred with the coveted Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Two cities namely Mabalacat and San Fernando, and 13 municipalities including Apalit, Arayat, Bacolor, Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Macabebe, Masantol, Mexico, Minalin, Porac, San Simon, and Sto. Tomas will receive the prestigious award.

The province of Pampanga has the most number of awardees in Central Luzon this year followed by Nueva Ecija with 13, Bulacan with 11, Tarlac with 10, Bataan with eight, Aurora with three, and Zambales with two, according to the list released by DILG Central Luzon.

The SGLG is an award given to LGUs which passed the strict criteria set by the DILG to gauge their respective performances in various areas of governance via development indicators.

These include good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection, business friendliness and competitiveness, environmental management, and peace and order.

Aside from the bragging rights, the winning local governments will also be receiving funds from the DILG which must be utilized on programs for economic growth.

“SGLG is a mechanism which aims to gauge the performance of LGUs and thereafter provide incentives to the awardees through monetary grants,” DILG Central Luzon Director Julie Daquioag said.