Following its fourth unqualified opinion, the highest mark from the Commission on Audit, Navotas has once again bagged the highly coveted Seal of Good Local Governance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“We are honored to receive yet another recognition; this time, we got the highest award an LGU can hope for. This again validates our committed service to Navoteños,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said.
The mayor acknowledged all city officials and personnel, noting their contributions towards helping the city achieve this milestone.
“The SGLG is an outcome of our concerted efforts. May this inspire us to be more passionate as we work towards promoting the best interests of our people. Let us always strive to be the best as we give them transparent, accountable and quality public service,” he added.
Through the SGLG, the national government recognizes local government units that demonstrate exemplary performance in local governance.
This year, SGLG awardees passed a more rigorous assessment based on DILG’s “all-in redefined criteria.” This pertains to more specific and detailed requisites that serve as matrix of the various facets of local governance defined by the agency.
To become a recipient of the SGLG award, an LGU must pass all four core assessment areas, namely Financial Administration, Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection, and Peace and Order.
The appended requirements of the 2019 SGLG include full compliance to Good Financial Housekeeping, full disclosure policy of local budget and finances, and bids and public offerings in all quarters of 2018 under the Financial Administration indicator.
It also necessitates a convened Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a contingency plan for top two high risk hazards, and at least one LDRRMC or disaster office personnel trained in Incident Command System under the Disaster Preparedness criterion.
In the Social Protection meter, city government-run hospitals should be accredited for maternity care package, primary care benefits and TB-DOTS by PhilHealth in 2018 and 2019; while under the Peace and Order indicator, an LGU must have a passing rate in the Peace and Order Performance.
It also requires that an LGU must meet all the essential assessment areas which include Environmental Management, Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness, and Tourism, Culture and the Arts.
Of these areas, Environmental Management has an additional requirement of a convened Solid Waste Management Board.
Navotas is eligible to avail of the Performance Challenge Fund and other program windows and capacity development assistance from DILG as incentive to receiving the SGLG.
The city was also conferred the seal in 2015 and 2017. It also received Bronze and Silver Seals of Good Housekeeping in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
“For every recognition and award the city receives, it is the people that benefit the most. Navoteños serve as our inspiration to work harder, promote good governance, and deliver better public service,” Tiangco said.