SORSOGON CITY – The City of Sorsogon once again soared as one of the recipients of the highly coveted Seal of Good Local Governance for the year 2022. The award is given to local government units (LGUs) who are able to implement sound financial and administrative management while ensuring compliance with issuances from pertinent authorities.

 

Out of 1,715 LGUs, three hundred fifty (350) local governments, among which is the City Government of Sorsogon, were recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for their outstanding performance in the persisting plight for progressive autonomous development.

The City of Sorsogon was visited by national validators from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and DILG Region 5 on August 30, 2022. They were warmly welcomed by city officials and employees with the Pantomina–the  iconic Bicolano folk dance–and a festival presentation.

 

After a thorough scrutiny of documents and meticulous onsite assessment, the evaluators confirmed that the City Government has completed the necessary requirements and qualifications to receive the Seal of Good Local Governance.

 

Sorsogon City Mayor Hon. Ma. Ester E. Hamor personally received the honor and SGLG Incentive Fund amounting to Seven Million Pesos (Php 7,000,000.00) at the Manila Hotel on December 14, 2022 during the First Cluster Awarding Ceremony along with City Local Government Operations Officer Mabel E. Morano and City Councilor Maria Theresa H. Gonzalez. The awarding ceremony was led by DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., ROV Regional Director, Atty. Arnaldo E. Escober Jr. CESO V, and Assistant Regional Director Jhoaden G. Lucero, CESO V.

 

Incidentally, on January 26, 2023, Mayor Hamor in coordination with the DILG and the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) led the SGLG Utilization Conference wherein the ten (10) indicators were discussed in preparation for the 2023 assessment. Participating department heads were awarded with Certificates of Commendation during the meeting as the Mayor’s token of gratitude.

 

The SGLG is an award and incentive of the DILG which currently focuses on 10 component cores and essential areas such as Financial Administration, Disaster Preparedness, Youth Development, Tourism, Peace and Order, and Environmental Protection, among others.