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AN AUDIO VIDEO PRESENTATION
Seven (7) local government units (LGUs) in Zambales —Cabangan, Candelaria, Castillejos, Iba, Masinloc, San Felipe, and San Marcelino—have successfully undergone the national on-site validation for the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) from September 10 to 12, 2024, moving closer to earning the prestigious recognition of excellence in local governance.
For the second consecutive time, the municipalities of Iba and San Marcelino undergone assessment across ten (10) key governance areas, 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 the Arts and Youth Development.
Meanwhile, for the municipalities of Cabangan, Candelaria, Castillejos, Masinloc, and San Felipe, this marks their first time participating in the national assessment as potential passers.
The SGLG represents not only a hallmark of integrity and transparency but also a commitment to maintaining high standards in public service delivery and development. Meanwhile, the LGUs of Botolan and San Antonio, who are also potential passers, will just be undergoing further document review as part of the ongoing SGLG evaluation process.
The national validation team from DILG Region 8, led by Assistant Regional Director Atty. Darwin N. Bibar, CESO IV, together with SGLG Regional Focal Person Jenna A. Negros and LGOO V Jozylle Hope C. Caidic, conducted validation in five (5) LGUs. They were joined by Cluster Head Joy Frances M. Monsanto and Program Manager Blessie P. De Leon of Team 2, who collectively reviewed the performance and compliance of two (2) more LGUs.
The validation process involved interviews with municipal mayors, vice mayors, Sangguniang Bayan members, department heads, focal persons, as well as Punong Barangays, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). In addition to the interviews and document review, on-site inspections of critical structures and facilities within the LGUs were conducted to ensure compliance with national standards.
DILG Zambales Provincial Director Martin Porres B. Moral, CESO V, along with Cluster Team Leader Melissa D. Nipal, Program Manager Rose Ann D. Agostosa, and SGLG Provincial Focal Person Paulin Johanne L. Reyes, were present during the validation. The team, which also included LGOOs II Alled Aron C. Dela Cruz and Jelly Mae T. Ebalobo, together with the respective MLGOOs, provided assistance and support to the national validators.
“To the LGUs who have made it this far, tanggapin niyo po ang aming taos-pusong pagbati. Reaching the National Validation stage is already an impressive feat. Amongst your peers, kayo po ang napili to potentially receive the highest distinction for excellence in local governance,” said Assistant Regional Director Bibar. "Your presence here speaks volumes about your commitment to quality service to your citizens.", he added.
Successful potential passers will be recommended to advance to the next stage of assessment of the Council of Good Local Governance (CGLG), with the results of the 2024 SGLG National Validation set to be released later this year. Along with the recognition, these LGUs will also receive incentives aimed at further advancing development initiatives in their locality.
by: LGOO V Paulin Johanne L. Reyes
