LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government Cordillera (DILG-CAR) recognized the local government units (LGUs) of Benguet that passed the 2023 Functionality Audit in a program on March 21, 2024 at Ben Palispis Hall, Benguet Provincial Capitol.
 
The Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH) and Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) awards were bestowed on the Provincial Government of Benguet and its thirteen municipalities. The GFH award assesses the LGUs' compliance with standards in accounting and auditing, laws, and regulations.

Meanwhile, the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) award was given to ten municipalities namely; Bakun, Buguias, Itogon, Kapangan, Kibungan, La Trinidad, Mankayan, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay.
 
The CFLGA award recognizes effective implementation of policies, programs, projects, and services for children, while the PDAO award honors LGU efforts to empower persons with disabilities.
 

In her message, DILG-CAR regional director Araceli San Jose acknowledged Benguet PLGU and its municipalities' potential for the SGLG with  their commendable performance in the Functionality Audits. 
 
“We can see that our LGUs here in Benguet have potential to be passers of the Seal of Good Local Governance or SGLG,” San Jose stated.
 
The SGLG is an institutionalized award, incentive, honor, and recognition-based program that remains steadfast in its pledge to promote an inclusive and people-centered forum.

Its commitment lies in continuously empowering our LGUs to nurture a culture of good local governance amidst the challenges of an ever-changing and evolving local government.
 
She further urged the provincial and municipal officials to redouble their efforts in pursuing the SGLG, wherein evaluation will start next month.
 
“So, I came here personally to challenge our provincial government and all our municipalities to pass the SGLG,” San Jose said.
 
It can be recalled that the municipality of Kibungan is the only, and last to receive the SGLG award in the entire province of Benguet for in  2019, making it a big challenge for the provincial government, and its towns to receive this award again. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR/Marvilyn Lokines- BSU Intern)