Negros Occidental, Bacolod City and 17 other towns and cities in the province are 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardees, the Department of the Interior and Local Government announced on Thursday, Nov. 14.
“Your commitment to excellence in public service and dedication to the principles of good governance have set a remarkable standard for local leadership. Your unwavering dedication to serving the people is an inspiration to us all,” the DILG wrote.
Twelve of thirteen cities in Negros Occidental that are this year’s awardees are: Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay, and Victorias.
Not included in the list is Kabankalan City.
Six of the 19 Negros Occidental towns that are among the awardees are EB Magalona, Hinigaran, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana and Manapla.
In Negros Oriental among SGLG awardees are Mabinay and San Jose.
This is the second consecutive year under Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson that Negros Occidental has been awarded the SGLG award, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.
“We are also trying to make sure that all parameters for next year’s evaluation will be met so we can win the SGLG for a third year in a row,“ Diaz said.
The award is also the basis for granting the Capitol employees the Performance-Based Bonus (PBB), he said.
However, they are still waiting for the DILG to release the guidelines so they can grant the release of the PBB for their 2023 SGLG award, which would be in addition to the bonuses for this year’s award, he said.
The province has sufficient funds to grant the PBB, which is equivalent to 60 percent to an employees standard wages, for both award years, he said.
BACOLOD CITY
“Congratulations to all the departments who have worked hard for this award. This achievement is a true product of team effort, and each one of you deserves to be recognized and applauded,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said of Bacolod’s award.
VICTORIAS CITY
It is also the second year for Victorias City under Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez to have won the SGLG award, having also won the award in 2023.
“This award recognizes Victorias City’s exemplary performance in 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—each a pillar of our city’s growth and resilience,” a press release from the city said.
EB MAGALONA
EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon said “This SGLG national award is a testament to our remarkable performance for the past eight years and our strong commitment to improving governance given the day-to-day challenges and needs of our municipality.”
Malacon is now on his third and last term, having started as mayor in July 2016. *