Negros Occidental, Bacolod City and nine other local government units in the province received their 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awards at rites held at the Manila Hotel on Thursday, Dec. 14.
All the LGU awardees received an SGLG marker and incentive fund of P4 million for provinces, P2.3 million for cities, and P1.8 million for municipalities.
Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos led the awarding ceremony.
San Carlos City led by Mayor Renato Gustilo won an SGLG award for the 7th time.
San Carlos is one of the 22 seven-time SGLG LGU awardees in the entire country, and the only city of the 39 in the Visayas that reaped the award yearly since 2015.
The other awardees were the cities of Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, Sagay, Talisay and Victorias, and the municipalities of La Castellana and Manapla.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is happy and proud that the province won the SGLG award. “What we give and do for the welfare of others is the true source of our joy and life’s meaning,” he said.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said “in a proud moment of recognition, our city is bestowed with the prestigious DILG Seal of Good Governance. This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, transparency, and public service.”
“As we proudly receive this seal, it reaffirms our pledge to continue fostering good governance practices, ensuring accountability, and delivering significant services to the City of Bacolod”, he added.
Victorias was awarded the 2023 SGLG after four years and for the first time under the leadership of Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez.
Victorias Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, city councilors, and department heads joined the city mayor in receiving award at the Manila Hotel.*