ILOILO province again received the highest recognition in the Excellence in Local Governance (Excell) Awards of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Western Visayas.
The province was conferred the Plaque of Sustainability “for having exemplified commitment in raising the standards for accountability, transparency, and quality service delivery thereby pursuing the ideals of Excellence in Local Governance.”
Governor Arthur Defensor, Vice Governor Christine Garin and the Provincial Government department heads received the award from DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero and Local Governance and Development Administration expert Alex Brillantes during the awarding ceremony at the Iloilo Convention Center on December 19.
Last year, the province landed in the Excell Awards’ Hall of Fame after it was adjudged as Best Performing Province for three consecutive years (2014, 2015, and 2016).
The Excell Awards is a continuing project of DILG-Western Visayas. It recognizes the best managed local governments in the region that demonstrate best practices, achievements and innovations in governance, administration, social services, economic development, environmental management and local legislation.
It also aims to advocate for transparency and accountability in governance, positively reinforce good performers, popularize replicable best practices and identify possible interventions to improve the local government unit's performance.
Recently, Iloilo province was also declared grand slam winner of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) by the DILG Central Office.
The province obtained the award in the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 after it successfully hurdled the four core areas on Financial Administration, Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection and Peace and Order.
Winning the SGLG entitles the Province of Iloilo access to the Performance Challenge Fund, issuance of Good Financial Housekeeping Certification to facilitate bank loan approval and several other program windows.
Defensor attributed the awards to the successful implementation of programs and projects that have created an impact on the lives of the people in the province.
He acknowledged the active participation and support of the members of the Provincial Board and the department heads that led to the success of his administration. (PR)