By Emmanuel D. Taghoy
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – An assessment team came here last May 15-16 to rate the performance of the provincial government of Sibugay in its bid for the “Seal of Good Local Governance.”
The Regional Assessment Team 4, which was led by Director Mohamad Taha S. Arakama of DILG-Zamboanga City, assessed the provincial government’s implementation of its programs, projects and services based on transparency and accountability.
Director Arakama told the Philippine Information Agency in an interview that the Seal of Good Local Governance is recognition of the local government units’ (LGUs) faithful and exemplary public service through full disclosure of their financial transactions.
He further explained that transparency in the LGUs is part of President Benigno S. Aquino’s vision of “Matuwid Na Daan.”
“This is in support of President’s directive that all LGUs should follow the ‘Matuwid na Daan,’ - meaning, they should be transparent in their dealings with people especially on financial transactions,” he stressed.
Director Arakama lauded Zamboanga Sibugay for adhering to the principles of transparency and accountability in the implementation of its programs and services.
“In terms of disclosure of its financial transactions, it seems that Sibugay will receive a perfect score. In the three core areas of SGLG - Seal of Good Housekeeping, Disaster Management, and Social Protection- we appreciate the province of Zamboanga Sibugay for its compliance with the law,” he said.
Zamboanga Sibugay is an aspirant for the Gold Seal of the DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping.
Other members of the assessment team were Ms. Ginagene S. Vaño Uy, local government operations officer of DILG-9, Mr. Ard C. Catalino, focal person of Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS), and Ms. Esperancita Hupida, technical regional coordinator of Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliances, Inc.
