GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has awarded 714 local government units (LGUs) the prestigious 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) at The Manila Hotel Tent City in Manila on December 9.
This year marks a record high in the number of awardees, with 41 recognized provinces, including Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat. Additionally, General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, and Kidapawan City were among the 93 cities awarded.
Numerous municipalities from Region 12 also received the award, including Aleosan, Kabacan, Mlang, Magpet, Midsayap, and Pigcawayan in Cotabato; Alabel, Maasim, Malapatan, and Malungon in Sarangani; Polomolok, Tantangan, and Tupi in South Cotabato; and Bagumbayan, Columbio, Kalamansig, Lambayong, Lutayan, Palimbang, and President Quirino in Sultan Kudarat.
“As the DILG, it gives us honor and pride that our LGUs are exemplifying good local governance in Rehiyon Dose. May our LGUs continue to be effective partners of the National Government in the pursuit of sustainable and inclusive development. Congratulations to our 2024 SGLG awardees!” said DILG Regional Director Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero.
The SGLG is an institutionalized recognition program that celebrates excellence in governance by LGUs.
This year, the assessment criteria were upgraded to include more outcome-based metrics, ensuring that winning LGUs meet high standards of public accountability and reform.
Of the 714 awardees, 41 were provinces, 96 were cities, and 577 were municipalities. Notably, 22 LGUs are eight-time winners, while 135 received the award for the first time. Region III garnered the highest number of awardees with 106, followed by Region I with 83 and Region VI with 62.
Awardees will receive an SGLG marker and an SGLG Incentive Fund to support local development initiatives aligned with national goals and strategic thrusts.
Sero said the assessment covered various areas of governance, including financial administration and sustainability; disaster preparedness; social protection and sensitivity; health compliance and responsiveness; sustainable education; business-friendliness and competitiveness; safety, peace, and order; environmental management; tourism, heritage development, culture, and arts; and youth development.
Under SGLG, DILG provides technical assistance to help facilitate compliance among LGUs with the requirements of SGLG awards.
It also acts as a knowledge broker, offering capacity development interventions based on the training needs of LGUs and forging partnerships with other institutions.
DILG also offers coaching and mentoring to local chief executives through its city or municipal local government operations officers, or MLGOOs. (Genory Vanz Alfasain/Voice of the Youth Network/PIA SarGen)
