DILG modifies requirements for SGLG

CEBU, Philippines — Local Government Units in the country will no longer catch up with the requirements set for the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) program of the government every year.

This, as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is modifying the program, allowing the local government units enough time to comply with the parameters set.

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, during his meeting with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and the mayors of Cebu yesterday at the Capitol, said the SGLG will be term-based. This means the assessment will be done every three years and not every year.

“Six months ka maghahanda, six months isusubmit mo, ang DILG in six month ang ginagawa mag-aasess, ang kapal ( ng mga papel na iassess), anong nangyayari? Compliance lang. So ngayon magiging once in every three years na, ang awarding,” Remulla told the mayors.

SGLG is an institutionalized award, incentive, honor, and recognition-based program of DILG that enables local government units to foster a culture of good governance despite the challenges of the local government landscape.

Under this program, the LGUs must pass 10 categories or governance areas before receiving an award; this includes financial administration and sustainability, disaster preparedness, social protection and sensitivity; health compliance and responsiveness; sustainable education, business-friendliness, tourism, heritage development, culture, and arts; and youth development.

In the modified SGLG, Remulla said the number of categories would be reduced from 10 to three, which include fiscal management, disaster resiliency, and innovation.

“Lets make it simple, and three years, I think this term-based SGLG makes more sense kasi totality ng trabaho ninyo yan eh. Yan ang ginawa ninyo, at yan ang report card ninyo sa tao, so patunay na may ginawa akong (kayong) tama,” Remulla added.

911 system

Aside from modifying the SGLG program, Remulla also shared with Cebu mayors the agency’s plans for programs like establishing a unified 911 system in the whole country, which is language-sensitive.

“So kung nasa Ilocos ka, Ilocano ang sasagot sayo. If nasa Pamgpanga ka, kapangpangan. If nasa Cebu ka, bisaya ang sasagot sa’yo,” he said.

Additionally, police offices or stations must have scooters so that once there’s a report, the police will be the first to be deployed for verification.

“So in three minutes, motorcycle muna ang pupunta ng police or ng barangay to verify kung totoo o hindi,” Remulla said. “Number two, may streaming capacity ang 911, so kung may viber ka, kung may messenger ka, kung may whatsapp ka, pwde kang mag stream, at may doctor sa station para sabihin ninyo kung anong gagawin, and the system will have a geolocating capacity, kung saan man kayo tumatawag, nanggaging, malolocate kayo kaagad,” he said.

The LGUs must also be capacitated by ordering thousands of fire trucks and ambulances that will be used during emergencies like fire.

As a former local chief executive in Cavite, Remulla said he understands the struggle of the local government unit, which is why he is streamlining the programs and projects of DILG for the LGUs ensuring that local autonomy is acknowledged.

“The national government should not, at the very least not interfere, only guide the local governments,” he said.

“Tama si Governor Gwen. It is only the local government that is the key to national progress. If we put academics in charge of this country, nothing will happen. But if we put the local governments in charge, give them the autonomy, and the freedom to decide, then a lot of things can happen,” Remulla added.

Before becoming DILG's secretary, Remulla served as a board member for three years, vice governor for nine years, and governor of Cavite for almost 12 years.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia commended Remulla’s stand on how the LGUs should work.

“That’s the difference if we have a secretary who understands local governance because he has experience in local governance,” Garcia said. –/JG (FREEMAN)