More than the distinction it brings, the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) program is a powerful motivator for local governments like Cagayan de Oro City to strive for excellence in serving their constituents, Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy said on Thursday.

 

‘By recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance, we provide LGUs (local government units) with an incentive and recognition they deserve in playing a vital role in local development,’ Mayor Klarex said in his opening message welcoming the national validation team for City Hall’s SGLG evaluation held on Thursday at the City Tourism Hall.

 

Mayor Klarex, along with Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez and department managers with their staff, were on hand for the SGLG national validation process conducted by a team from the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) led by Augustus Tabugo, local government operations officer and outcome manager of the DILG office in south Cotabato province.

 

City Hall completed its regional validation process conducted by the DILG last July also held at the City Tourism Hall.

 

In his speech, Mayor Klarex said he voted for the passage of Republic Act 11292 which created the SGLG program during his tenure as Cagayan de Oro City’s 1st district legislator in the 17th Congress.

 

‘This landmark legislation places a premium in ensuring the competence and dedication of local governments to sustainable development by excelling in various governance performance areas. It’s a testament to our belief that the true agents of development are our local governments,’ Mayor Klarex said as he lauded anew the City Hall bureaucracy for their efforts in serving the people of Cagayan de Oro.

 

For his part, Tabugo congratulated City Hall for passing the regional validation process held last July at the City Tourism Hall which elevated the city to the national validation process. ‘Your dedication, sacrifices and hard work had been recognized…may you continue your passion for public service, thank you for working hard,’ he said.

 

The SGLG is awarded to local governments based on their performance in key governance areas like financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection for basic sectors, environmental management, business friendliness and competitiveness and law and order and public safety. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)