CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Calabarzon is pushing to incorporate environmental compliance as a critical criterion for local government units that undergo assessment for the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) overseen by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
During the Kapihan sa DENR CALABARZON, Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria emphasized the significance of the initiative in driving LGUs toward better ecological management and accountability.
“The integration of environmental compliance into the SGLG reflects our collective commitment to sustainable governance. We are working closely with the DILG to ensure that LGUs adopt practices that protect and nurture the environment while fostering community development,” said Tamoria.
SGLG is a prestigious award and recognition program established to acknowledge the exemplary performance of LGUs in the country.
Serving as a benchmark for good governance, the SGLG is a progressive assessment system that encourages LGUs to excel in their responsibilities in providing exemplary service delivery, transparent governance, and sustainable development, while promoting local autonomy and sustainable development.
DENR believes that the inclusion of environmental compliance and stricter implementation of laws in the SGLG framework is a groundbreaking move that not only acknowledges LGUs’ efforts in governance but also reiterate their role in fostering sustainable development.
“We strongly believe that good local governance is not only about adhering to the Local Government Code. Good governance includes taking care of the environment. When an LGU is not capable of fulfilling its environmental responsibilities, it cannot truly claim to be practicing good governance,” Tamoria stressed.
He added: “Good governance is holistic—it is about addressing the needs of the present while securing the future. Without environmental responsibility, true progress is impossible.”
As the DENR and DILG finalize the inclusion of this new criterion, local leaders are urged to align their programs with national environmental goals, reinforcing their role in building disaster-resilient communities with efficient handling of sustainable resources. (AM/PIA-4A)
