In pursuit of its endeavor to raise the bar higher for good local governance, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 3 hails 37 Central Luzon awardees of the 2016 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) today, November 28, 2016 at the Fontana Convention Center, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

The SGLG, formerly the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH), was scaled up in 2014 to provide a greater challenge for local government units (LGUs) to continue good governance practices while providing better services and, at the same time, expanding the coverage of the assessment.

On her message, DILG Regional Director Florida M. Dijan proudly announced that Region 3 is the second region with the most number of awardees.  "For 2016, we have 37 LGUs conferred with the prestigious Seal during the National Awarding at Sofitel, Pasay last October 27, 2016. Aside from this, 15 LGUs will also be recognized as Post Compliance Awardees to 2015 SGLG", RD Dijan said.

She furthered by challenging the local chief executives to keep up and always raise the bar in giving the best service, "Panahon na para itaas ang pamantayan ng good local governance mula sa balangkas ng matino at tapat na pangangasiwang pinansyal. Let it be a continuing challenge for provincial, city and municipal governments to do better today and in the years to come. Let us continue to be the beacon of excellence, not just in good local governance but in serving the people who are the end-all and be-all of all our partnership and collaboration".

The regional awarding was graced by the presence of Asec. Ricojudge Janvier M. Echeverri who challenged the LCEs to continue to thrive in excellence and continuously commit to public service.

Among the LGUs feted by the DILG were Dinalupihan, Mariveles, Pilar, Bagac and Balanga City (Bataan); Calumpit, DRT, Plaridel, San Rafael, Guiguinto (Bulacan); Bongabon, San Leonardo, Talavera, Cuyapo, GM Natividad (Nueva Ecija); Apalit, Floridablanca, Guagua, Minalin, San Luis, Mabalacat, Magalang, Lubao, Mexico, San Simon, Sta. Rita and City of San Fernando (Pampanga); Pura, Ramos, San Clemente, Victoria (Tarlac); and San Felipe, Zambales.

All SGLG awardees are entitled to the Performance Challenge Fund, an incentive provided to LGUs in the form of financial grant for local development projects; (P4M for province, P3.4M for city and P3M for municipality) access to program windows of national government agencies; continuing capacity development; and access to loans.