GOVERNOR Arthur Defensor Sr. is aspiring to get another seal to fortify his administration’s effort to eradicate red tape and improve the delivery of basic social services.
The Department of Interior and Local Government will confer “Seal of Good Local Governance” to any local government units that has good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness and social protection on October this year.
The LGU must also be business-friendly and competitive, has peace and order in place and has means to safeguard its environment to get the award and corresponding incentives to further develop its performance.
DILG’s Regional Assessment Team has started the evaluation of the province’s pertinent programs, project and laws on Tuesday. They also visited Cabasi Elementary School in Guimbal, a Gawad Kalasag awardee and Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial District Hospital in Lambunao.
“In government, you are always expected to work along lines of excellence. You do not work for private interest but you work for the people, your country and for the Divine (Grace),” the governor told his department heads in a meeting with the evaluators.
In previous years, Iloilo already earned two Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) before DILG Secretary Manuel Roxas II added more challenges to the performance-based program now known as SGLG or Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal.
The awards gave the province the opportunity to access the funds provided under the National Government programs like Grassroots Participatory Budget Process, Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan, Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat and Special Local Road Fund.
“The SGLG really moves us to do the best we can. It does not only encourage us but inspires us to excel in our sworn duties and responsibilities as government servants,” Defensor said. (Jezza A. Nepomoceno/PR)