QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced on Tuesday, Nov. 19, a historic milestone for having 714 local government units (LGUs) across the country honored with the coveted 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award.
This is the highest number of recipients since the program’s inception in 2014, indicating the growing commitment of LGUs to excellent and accountable governance, the DILG said in a statement.
The SGLG award, a hallmark of the DILG’s efforts to promote institutional reform and effective governance, gives recognition to provinces, cities, and municipalities that excel across a range of critical performance areas.
This year’s 714 awardees include 41 provinces, 96 cities, and 577 municipalities.
Twenty-two LGUs were recognized as 8-time awardees for their sustained excellence, while 135 were first-time winners, highlighting the widening impact of the program across the country.
Central Luzon is the top-performing region with 106 awardees, followed by Ilocos Region with 83, and Western Visayas with 62.
In the statement, the DILG highlighted the significance of this year’s achievement, emphasizing the enhancements made to the assessment criteria.
“The SGLG program is more than an award—it’s a testament to how LGUs are meeting the challenges of governance and elevating the standards of public service,” it said.
LGUs were evaluated in 10 governance areas, including financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, health compliance, education, business competitiveness, peace and order, environmental management, cultural and tourism development, and youth engagement.
Each awardee will receive an SGLG marker, and access to the SGLG Incentive Fund, enabling them to invest in local development initiatives that align with national goals and priorities. (PIA DMD)
