In pursuit of its endeavor to raise the bar higher for good local governance, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region III awarded 33 LGUs in Central Luzon with the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) on August 28, 2015, Friday, at the Fontana Leisure Park and Resort, Clark Field, Pampanga.

The SGLG formerly the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH), is an assessment tool that started in 2014 to gauge the performance of local government units along six (6) key areas namely: Good Financial Housekeeping, Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection, Business Friendliness and Competitiveness, Environmental Management, and Peace and Order.

A total of 254 LGUs nationwide are to be conferred with the Seal, of which, 33 come from Central Luzon. Four (4) provinces, two (2) cities, and twenty seven (27) municipalities were accorded with recognition for passing the rigorous assessment process in 2014.

During her opening remarks, DILG Regional Director Florida M. Dijan emphasized that excellence in local governance is a continuous process and that it shouldn't stop at the end of a local chief executive's term. She likewise expressed her joy for the huge achievement the LGUs received that afternoon.

DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere A. Panadero, the occasion's guest of honor and speaker, stressed that the SGLG is an essential mechanism to materialize the 'Daang Matuwid' which the present administration is pushing through. He likewise informed the awardees of the corresponding Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) they are about to receive as an incentive from winning the SGLG. Accordingly, 3 Million Pesos will be given to each municipality, 5 Million Pesos for each city, and 7 Million Pesos for each province upon the submission of several documentary requirements.

For 2015, the several SGLG indicators are still in the drawing board and are expected to be finalized come September this year.