BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Provincial Government and18 local government units (LGUs) in the province received a total of P33,918,000 in incentive fund after passing the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The ceremonial turnover of checks at the Social Hall of the provincial capitol on March 7 was led by Lailyn Ortiz, officer-in-charge (OIC) regional director of the DILG-Negros Island Region (NIR); OIC Assistant Regional Director Teodora Sumagaysay; and DILG-Bacolod City director Christian Nagaynay.
The provincial government led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson received the P3 million worth of check.
The cities of Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay, and Victorias received P2 million each while the municipalities of San Enrique, E. B. Magalona, Hinigaran, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, and Manapla were awarded a check worth P1,153,000 each.
Gov. Lacson said the SGLG incentive fund is not only a celebration of achievements but also an affirmation of commitment to transparent, accountable, and effective governance.
“This incentive fund is not just a financial boost – it is an investment in the future of our communities. I trust that each LGU will maximize these resources to implement priority projects that will improve the lives of our people,” he added.
The SGLG, enacted through Republic Act 11292 in 2019, is an institutionalized award, incentive, honor, and recognition-based program that encourages the commitment of LGUs to continuously progress and improve their performance in various governance areas.The SGLG maintains the “All-in” principle where a local government must pass all governance areas – Financial Administration and Sustainability, Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection and Sensitivity, Health Compliance and Responsiveness, Sustainable Education, Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness, Safety, Peace and Order, Environmental Management, Tourism, Heritage Development, Culture and Arts, and Youth Development./PN
