ILOILO – For the seventh time, the Iloilo provincial government has earned the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Iloilo joins 40 other provinces and a total of 714 local government units (LGUs) across the country awarded with this prestigious recognition for 2024.
The SGLG, established by Republic Act No. 11292, is the highest honor bestowed by the DILG on LGUs that demonstrate excellence in governance.
Dubbed as the “mother of all awards”, the SGLG assesses LGUs across 10 governance areas:
* financial management
* disaster preparedness
* social protection
* health
* education
* business competitiveness
* peace and order
* environmental management
* tourism and culture, and
* youth development
In June, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the provincial government team in a regional assessment held at the Iloilo provincial capitol, after which he expressed confidence in the province’s performance.
“The SGLG serves as a benchmark for our processes here, and we are pleased to meet its standards,” Defensor said.
In 2023, Iloilo Province received its sixth SGLG award, earning a P4-million incentive fund.
This achievement aligns with Defensor’s development vision, MoRProGRes Iloilo (Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient Province of Iloilo), which aims to propel the province forward through a unified development approach. Iloilo also made history by being the first province to achieve the SGLG for four consecutive years (2015–2018) under former governor Arthur Defensor Sr.
Apart from Iloilo Province, 18 municipalities and Passi City in Iloilo also received the 2024 SGLG. The recognized municipalities include Alimodian, Anilao, Banate, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Concepcion, Lambunao, Leganes, Maasin, Mina, New Lucena, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, San Enrique, Tigbauan, Tubungan, and Zarraga.
In Western Visayas, five provinces secured the SGLG this year: Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
Additionally, 13 cities in the region earned the award, including Bacolod City, Bago City, Cadiz City, Escalante City, Himamaylan City, La Carlota City, Passi City, Sagay City, San Carlos City, Silay City, Sipalay City, Talisay City, and Victorias City.
A total of 44 municipalities in Western Visayas received the SGLG. Aside from those 18 in Iloilo, these are the following:
* Aklan – Banga, Batan, Burungan, Ibajay, Kalibo, Malay, New Washington, Tangalan
* Antique – Barbaza, Belsion, Culasi, Libertad, Pandan, Patnongon, San Jose de Buenavista, San Remigio, Valderrama
* Capiz – Dao and Dumarao
* Negros Occidental – Enrique B. Magalona, Hinigaran, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, and Manapla/PN
