By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The towns of Dumarao and Dao in Capiz received the prestigious 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for meeting the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) standards for efficient leadership and exceptional public service.
Mayors Matt Hachuela of Dumarao and Jose Jimbo Barruela of Dao personally accepted the awards on Monday morning, December 9, at the Manila Hotel.
Dumarao was the only local government unit from Capiz to receive the same award last year.
The SGLG is an institutionalized, recognition-based program that highlights excellent governance among local government units (LGUs).
To qualify for the SGLG award, LGUs must meet assessment criteria across several key governance areas, including financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, health compliance, sustainable education, business-friendliness, peace and order, environmental management, tourism and heritage, and youth development.
The DILG reported that 714 LGUs were recognized this year, the highest number of awardees in the program’s history.
The 714 awardees include 41 provinces, 96 cities, and 577 municipalities.
Among the recipients, 22 LGUs are eight-time winners, while 135 were recognized for the first time.