In recent times, local government units (LGUs) were urged by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos to improve their social protection and sensitivity as well as their monetary management strategies, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. urged local government units (LGUs) to put up measures to enhance their social protection and sensitivity as well as financial sustainability assessment ratings.
He issued the call during the recent Council on Good Local Governance (CGLG) activity in Cebu City, which discussed the proposed criteria for the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Assessment for 2024- 2025.
During the event, Abalos bared that the LGUs registered the lowest compliance rates during SGLG assessments when it comes to their social protection and sensitivity, and financial administration and sustainability.
On the flip side, Abalos stated that the LGUs registered positive performance and excelled in the following assessment criteria: Health Compliance and Responsiveness; Tourism Heritage Development, Culture and the Arts; and Sustainable Education.
“Natutuwa ako sa mataas na pagpapahalaga ng mga LGUs sa kalusugan, turismo at edukasyon base sa lumabas sa assessment para sa SGLG nitong nakaraang taon. Ipagpatuloy lang natin ang pagsisikap sa mga areas na ito (I am glad about the LGUs’ high appreciation for health, tourism and education based on the results of the assessment for the SGLG last year. Let’s continue working on these areas,” he said.
Together with Abalos, DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan also emphasized the significance of aligning the objectives and ensuring the effective execution of the SGLG assessment process.
The SGLG is an award, incentive, honor and recognition-based program for LGUs that aim to challenge them to continue good governance practices while providing better public services.
Relatedly, the DILG noted that a total of 42,000 barangay captains and other newly-elected officials will undergo continuous training to enhance their capabilities in handling various challenges that they may face in the course of their mandated duties as community leaders.
Abalos stressed that the exercise dubbed as “Grassroots Renewal and Empowerment for Accountable and Transparent (GREAT) Barangays” will run until 2025 and is designed to capacitate the village officials in all leadership aspects.
“As the basic unit of local governance, at pinakamalapit sa ating mga kababayan sa komunidad (and nearest to the people in the community), everything starts in the barangay,” Abalos explained.
Through the Local Government Academy (LGA), Abalos pointed out that the DILG ensures newly-elected barangay officials are ready to face the challenges of leadership in the barangays.
“We will prepare our barangay officials,” he said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you think the DILG is properly doing its job to guide all LGUs on how to do their jobs over a wide series of issues? Do you think your local government or barangay has been neglecting its duties?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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