Lamitan City, Isabela City, and two municipalities in Basilan province stood out among the 96 cities and 577 municipalities nationwide as recipients of the prestigious 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). The SGLG, an institutionalized award program of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), recognizes excellence in local governance.
DILG Secretary and SGLG Chairperson Juanito Victor C. Remulla presented the awards to local chief executives in a grand ceremony held at the Manila Hotel on December 10 at 2:00 PM. The event celebrated the outstanding achievements of local government units (LGUs) that excelled in governance and service delivery.
Lamitan City Mayor Oric Furigay and Vice Mayor Hegem Furigay, along with Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin, led their respective delegations in receiving the awards. This marked a remarkable seventh consecutive SGLG recognition for Lamitan City and the second for Isabela City.
Joining the honorees were Sumisip Municipality Mayor Julz Hataman, who secured the award for the sixth time, and Maluso Municipality Mayor Hannie Bud, celebrating their fifth recognition.
The SGLG employs an “All-in” assessment approach, requiring LGUs to excel in ten governance areas:
- 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
- Youth Development
The Basilan LGUs’ success underscores their commitment to holistic and inclusive governance, setting benchmarks for other local government units across the country. The SGLG not only celebrates their achievements but also inspires continuous improvement and innovation in local governance practices.