Capitol gets P7M; 8 towns receive P3M for DILG award

The Cebu provincial government received P7 million while eight  Cebu towns got P3 million each for earning  the Seal of Good Local Governance, a   tool for tracking and rewarding government performance nationwide.

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas led the awarding ceremony at the Norkis Park in Mandaue City and handed over the checks and plaques to the nine winners.

The towns of Argao, Bantayan, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Malabuyoc, Medellin, Oslob, and San Remigio were also recognized.

The rating scheme was introduced in 2011 by the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

DILG 7 Regional Director Rene Burdeos, in a letter to the awardees, said  the  seals symbolize “integrity and good performance of local government.”

“It is introduced to further strengthen accountability at the LGU level and to provide greater challenge to local governments to continue good governance practices while providing better services,” he said.

To  qualify for the award,  an LGU has to meet several criteria—good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection, business friendliness and competitiveness, peace and order, and environmental management.

The first three criteria are mandatory. LGUs  need to pass at least one of the last three criteria.

Roxas said the seal recognizes the “clean, orderly, and honest” administration of the mayors in their localities. He said the award transcends all political affiliations and that the awardees were judged according to their performance.

The ratings were based on LGU  performance in 2013.

Roxas said it’s up to the LGUs how to spend the award money.

Governor Davide, said the province’s P7 million will be spent on the upgrading of  district hospitals.

“We hope to purchase more medical equipment for our district hospitals,” he said.

Town mayors personally received the seal, medal, and check from the DILG, except for Dumanjug, whose Acting Mayor Efren Gica came, and Medellin, which was represented by Vice Mayor Alfredo Lim.

Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez arrived late.

Mayors of Bantayan, Dumanjug, Medellin, Malabuyoc, and Oslob are not affiliated with the Liberal Party.

“Although we are not partymates, we are thankful to have received this award,” Malabuyoc Mayor Lito Narciso Creus told Roxas.

Creus said the town’s P3 million  award will  be spent to build a  public cemetery, improved water systems, and more local roads.

Other mayors said they  used the  money on public infrastructure like markets, and classrooms, and evacuation centers for the northern towns, among others.

Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren said he would improve tourism services in the town and expand its water system.

Present at the event were  Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Cebu 6th District Rep. Luigi Quisumbing, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, local DILG officials, and Capitol department heads.

Davide, in his opening speech, indirectly endorsed Roxas as the person who should continue the Daang Matuwid (Straight Path reform program) of President Benigno Aquino III.

“Angayan nga mosunod unya pohon aron ang tul-id nga dalan ni Presidente Aquino magpadayon (He is fit to continue the Matuwid na Daan thrust of President Aquino),” he said.

“We have great confidence in Secretary Roxas,” he added./with Inquirer.net