The Department of the Interior and Local Government has conferred its 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance to 493 local government units in recognition of their efficient leadership and outstanding public service.

"Pagbati sa ating 2023 SGLG awardees! Tunay na kahanga-hanga ang inyong tagumpay dahil mas mahigpit ang ating batayan sa pagsusuri sa mga pamahalaang lokal ngayong taon. Keep up the good work!", said DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos.

Enacted through Republic Act No. 11292 or "The Seal of Good Local Governance Act of 2019," the awards are an institutionalized honor and recognition program that encourages LGUs' commitment to continuously progress and improve their performance along various governance areas.

Of the 493 SGLG awardees, 28 are provinces, 64 cities and 401 municipalities.

A total of 22 LGU awardees for this year are seven-time passers, sustaining their good performance and drive for local reforms from 2015 when the SGLG was first conferred.

This year, 94 LGUs also entered the circle of awardees for the first time.

Emphasizing the progressive nature of SGLG, Abalos highlighted the upgraded performance measures, focusing on outcome-oriented efforts to address current challenges in local administration and public service delivery.

"We are now gauging outcome-oriented efforts of the LGUs instead of just their outputs. Dito natin makikita kung may epekto ba talaga ang mga ginagawa ng LGUs sa kanilang mga komunidad," he said.

The DILG Chief underscored the SGLG's role in influencing LGUs to align with the administration's priorities and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

To receive the SGLG award, LGUs must pass the assessment criteria across various governance areas, namely: financial administration, 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.

Among all the regions of the country, Region III registered the highest number of SGLG awardees with 84, followed by Region I with 70 and Region II with 41.

All LGU awardees will receive an SGLG marker and the SGLG Incentive Fund of P4 million for provinces, P2.3 million for cities and P1.8 million for municipalities. The SGLG-IF shall be utilized to support their local development initiatives aligned with national goals.

The 2023 SGLG national awarding ceremony will be held on 13-14 December 2023 at The Manila Hotel.