Capitol Aims For Another Seal Of Good Local Governance

Capitol department heads and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7’s assessment team gathered at the Dignitaries Lounge recently to discuss efforts that will give Cebu province another shot at the coveted DILG’s Seal of Good Local Governance.

Armed with the appropriate documents, the department heads were present to entertain the concerns of the assessment team on the multi-faceted operations and activities of the Cebu Provincial Government.

Cebu province, its municipalities and component cities, including Cebu City, the entire Central Visayas all have a shot at the DILG-initiated recognition.

Speaking to cluster groups at the Dignitaries Lounge, DILG 7 Assistant Regional Director Elias Fernandez reminded Capitol officials to zero in on good financial housekeeping, business competitiveness, environmental management, and peace and order.

Good financial housekeeping means no adverse opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA).

Amonng those in the assessment team were May Ybañez of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Danny Almendras of DILG Cebu City.

According to Fernandez, the presence of the two in the assessment is for purposes of transparency.

Aside from financial awards for winning LGUs, banks now have a policy that they will grant loans to LGUs that have no adverse comments from COA.

Last year, Cebu province was among the LGUs in Central Visayas given the top recognition; winning P7 million pesos while eight other Cebu municipalities were awarded P3 million each.

By Fides Palicte

www.cebu.gov.ph