The Department of Interior & Local Government has awarded local government units of Negros Oriental with the Seal of Good Local Governance, in ceremonies held Tuesday in Tagbilaran City.
Interior Undersecretary Austere Panadero led the conferral of the awards to four towns and two cities of Negros Oriental, as well as nine towns of Bohol, and two towns of Siquijor.
Each LGU was awarded a P3 million prize. The provincial governments of Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Siquijor each received a P7 million prize.
The town-awardees of Negros Oriental were Mabinay, San Jose, Sibulan, and Zamboanguita, who were represented by Gov. Roel Degamo. The cities of Bais and Dumaguete were also declared winners, represented by Bais Mayor Mercedes Teves-Goni and Dumaguete Vice-Mayor Woodrow Maquiling.
Representatives of Cebu, who also had LGU winners, were not present during the event since it separately held its own ceremony earlier.
The Seal of Good Local Governance is the brainchild of then Interior Sec. Jesse Robredo, whose widow, Cong. Leni Robredo is now the running-mate of the Libral Party standard bearer former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas.
The awards were given based on how a certain LGU hurdles and addresses good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, and other criteria. (PNA)
