Three hundred fifty (350) local government units (LGUs) across the country will be conferred with the most coveted 2022 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award for their exemplary performance amid the COVID-19 health crisis “that responds to the call of times,” according to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. expressed his elation as he congratulated the 350 LGUs composed of 18 provinces, 60 cities, and 272 municipalities that passed the stringent SGLG parameters. He said the 350 LGUs are sources of inspiration to other LGUs in pursuing meaningful local autonomy and development.

“COVID-19 is a huge roadblock in public service yet this year’s SGLG awardees persisted. I congratulate all 350 LGUs for their exemplary performance in delivering quality public service to their localities and for bagging the 2022 SGLG Award. I commend you for your commitment to raising local governance standards despite the challenges brought by the pandemic and other calamities we have faced in recent years,” Abalos said.

“The 2022 SGLG Awards maintains an “all-in” principle which means a stringent selection process. Kaya talaga pong kahanga-hanga ang kahusayan na ipinamalas ng LGUs na nabigyan nito,” he added.

Abalos said that under the SGLG program, LGUs must pass the following governance areas: 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.

He said that out of 1,715 provinces, cities and municipalities nationwide, only 20.4 percent or 350 LGUs have received the Seal this year. “Nasala nang mabuti ang ating mga LGU tungo sa paglilingkod na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan ngayong pandemya,” he said.

Among all the regions of the country, Abalos said tRegion III garnered the highest number of awardees with a total of 61 awards composed of 51 municipalities, 6 cities and 2 provinces receiving the Seal, followed by Region I with 54 awardees comprised of 48 municipalities, 4 cities and 2 provinces, and Region II with 35 awardees from 29 municipalities, 4 cities and 2 provinces.

Other SGLG awardees for 2022 include five in the National Capital Region; 12 in the Cordillera Administrative Region; 29 in CALABARZON; six in MIMAROPA; nine in Region V; 27 in Region VI; six in Region VII; 16 in Region VIII; six in Region IX; 26 in Region X; 15 in Region XI; 13 in Region XII; 17 in Region XIII; and, 14 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

All LGU awardees will be recognized and conferred with the 2022 SGLG marker in an awarding ceremony in December 2022.

In addition to getting this year’s SGLG marker, LGU awardees are also eligible for the SGLG Incentive Fund to finance their local development initiatives in support of national goals and strategic thrusts.

The SGLG program, evolving from the Seal of Good Housekeeping, was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11292 or “The Seal of Good Local Governance Act of 2019.”

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-350-LGUs-to-be-conferred-with-2022-Seal-of-Good-Local-Governance-Award/NC-2022-1187