Koronadal City gets praises in 2024 SGLG National Validation
The City of Koronadal has received positive feedbacks after it underwent 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) National Validation recently.
The SGLG national validation is the annual assessment of local government unit’s (LGUs) performance on governance, which is conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It has ten (10) key assessment areas which include 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.
National validators Czarina P. Sikat, and Kim Nicole S. Samson from the DILG Central Office led the validation team alongside Provincial Director Hayd Ali S. Suwaib and Protocol Officer Vita Gumahad of the DILG-Cotabato Province.
Sikat and Samson were all praises and commendations for Koronadal as they presented their comments and recommendations during the exit conference.
Samson, in his message, said that during the conduct of the assessment and interview, he observed that the city government has exerted its efforts in promoting the welfare of its constituents and has demonstrated a pro-active approach in terms of local governance.
“Based sa interview, lumabas na may clear commitment [ang LGU] to providing quality services and implementing programs that benefit its community”, he said.
He also shared the LGUs notable strengths during the interview and assessment in terms of financial administration, social protection, education, tourism, and youth. According to him, the levels of awareness demonstrated by the department heads and the competence among key personnel have ensured the smooth and efficient delivery of services, fostering public trust.
On the other hand, Sikat pointed out the strong points of the LGU. These include the technical assistance it provides to the barangays in partnership with the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the enabling policies through resolutions and ordinances and executive orders that complement the development priorities of the LGU, and the LGU’s systems, which are already put in place and have already transformed into the digitalized era, speeding up its response to constituents’ calls for help during calamities and medical emergencies. She also acknowledged the city’s efforts to localize their bureau’s flagship program, which is the Buhay Ingatan, Droga Ayawan, or BIDA Program.
Another thing that impressed her the most was the Barangay Purok and Sitio Empowerment Program (BPSEP) of the city government. She even compared it to their version of SGLG for barangays.
“Ito po talaga na pinakanagustuhan ko which is the Barangay Purok and Sitio Empowerment Program [which] is very intricate ang pagkagawa ng assessment program at nakikita namin ‘yong commitment ng department heads and ng LGU na i-empower ang mga barangays through that monitoring and evaluation tool”, Sikat added.
In response, Vice Mayor Araquil expressed gratitude to the validators for all their positive feedbacks and assured them that the city government would address all their recommendations.
“I am very happy listening from Sir Kim kasi inaasahan namin comments but we heard from you commendations, so with that thank you talaga. We’re also expecting na imi-mention ni Ma’am Czarina ang aming weaknesses but we heard strengths ng city government, with that thank you rin po. So itong maliit na rekomendasyon po ninyo, ay gagawin po namin. Magpupursige, pagbubutihin at pagagandahin”, Araquil exclaimed.
She also expressed her appreciation to all city officials, employees, and partners for the invaluable contributions and assistance in making the event a successful one.
Meanwhile, prior to the conduct of the assessment, Mayor Ogena expressed optimism about the results of the national validation.
“I feel strongly that we are in a much better position now than before in claiming what we have started kay last year, winner tayo after so many years na wala. Walang dahilan na we cannot do it this time”, Ogena remarked.
He also underscored the significance of awards such as this SGLG Award on the economic development and effective governance of a LGU.
“Itong SGLG na ito, itong mga awards noong una hindi ko ito pinapansin because to me what matters is what I am doing I feel strongly needed by our people. But lately, I came to realize that awards are very important because investors are looking into the awards as an indicator of good governance. [G]ood policies and bureaucracy that is responsive and effective, you combine together, the result is good governance”, the mayor added.
Aside from the Mayor and the Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod Members Ma. Ester M. Catorce, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Antonio S. Abing, Liga ng mga Barangay President Marvin Ian Gumbao, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Charles Ronn Trinidad, and City Local Government Operations Officer Jennifer C. Fernandez, along with the barangay officials and representatives from the CSOs, were also present during the said activity.