LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte has once again proven its commitment to fiscal transparency and accountability after being recognized as one of the recipients of the 2024 Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping (SGFH).

The award, given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), was officially published in February 2025 and is a testament to the province’s sound financial management and adherence to government auditing standards.

The SGFH is a prestigious recognition given to local government units (LGUs) that demonstrate responsible financial stewardship, ensuring that public funds are efficiently and transparently managed.

It serves as a key benchmark in assessing an LGU’s ability to handle its finances in accordance with national laws, making it an essential requirement for securing additional government support and funding.

Ilocos Norte has consistently positioned itself among the best-performing LGUs in the country, particularly in financial compliance and revenue generation. In en an exclusive interview with Ilocos Norte Provincial Treasurer Josephine Prieto-Calajate, the province’s ability to maintain its high financial standards is rooted in its strict compliance with auditing regulations.

“We made sure that we always adhere to financial, compliance, and performance reporting guidelines set by the Commission on Audit (CoA) and other oversight bodies. From 2020 to 2023, CoA has consistently given the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) an Unqualified Opinion, the highest possible opinion, as regards its financial position and results of operations. This has been our main key in securing the good financial housekeeping,” she said.

The Unqualified Opinion from CoA is the highest rating an LGU can receive, indicating that its financial records are in full compliance with government regulations and are free from any material misstatements. This recognition is crucial, as it reflects not only the province’s commitment to financial integrity but also its ability to maintain efficient governance.

Full disclosure

Beyond compliance with CoA standards, Ilocos Norte has also prioritized transparency and accessibility of its financial records. The Full Disclosure Policy, a requirement for the SGFH, ensures that financial reports are publicly available for stakeholders to review.

According to Prieto-Calajate, the province has gone beyond the minimum requirements by making these reports readily accessible on its official website.

“We made sure that we consistently complied with the Full Disclosure Policy. Our financial reports do not only comply with auditing standards, rules, and regulations but are made known to the public and our stakeholders for proper accountability and transparency by having these posted in our Transparency Seal in the PGIN’s website,” she said.