DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG) assistant Regional Director Araceli San Jose said she was impressed by the improvements of the public services and facilities of the Pampanga Provincial Government during the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) assessment held at the Executive House, Capitol Building on Monday.
San Jose specifically lauded the Provincial Government's efforts to make wheelchair ramps accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and its move to provide disaster management brochures readily translated in Kapampangan through its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
“A lot has improved in terms of social protection and the materials presented. We really appreciate all the efforts you put through in the Provincial Government,” San Jose said.
Spearheaded by the DILG provincial office, the two-day SGLG assessment from May 29 to 30 seeks to evaluate the overall performance of the Pampanga Provincial Government and its local government units (LGUs).
The SGLG Assessment Team headed by DILG Provincial Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia include Aurora DILG lawyer Ofelia Tactac, Jr. and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting’s Noel Sibal.
According to Fabia, SGLG is a method to evaluate the performance of each LGU through criteria set by the DILG.
For 2017, the DILG scaled-up its overall assessment criteria to “4+1.” This means that to qualify for a seal, the LGU has to pass all four core areas and at least one essential area. In 2016, LGUs needed only to pass three core areas and at least one assessment area.
Under core areas are financial administration, disaster preparedness and social protection, and peace and order. Tourism, culture and the arts, and environment, among others, are under essential areas.
Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Andres Pangilinan, Jr. expressed optimism that the province will again bag the seal for 2017.
“We are confident that we will pass the standards (this year). Every year, we give the best of our abilities. We are delivering services to the people, all in best efforts,” he said.
He also lauded Governor Lilia Pineda for her relentless efforts to provide better services to her constituents and her commitment to comply with the standards. (PR)