PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III challenged the local government units to perform better and to continue the exercise of good governance assuring them that such practices will be rewarded by the national government through the Department of Interior and Local Government’s Seal of Good Local Governance.
Speaking before at least 1,500 local government officials during the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), the President underscored the importance of sustaining the practice of accountability and transparency in local government units, which play a vital role in economic growth and poverty alleviation.
“Kayo ang nasa lokal na pamahalaan; kayo ang may malalim na pag-unawa sa mga pangangailangan ng inyong kababayan; kayo ang nasa magandang posisyon para gumawa ng mga kongkretong hakbang upang tugunan ang mga ito,” he said.
“Ang gusto ko pong bigyan ng diin: Ang Performance Challenge Fund ay para sa lahat ng gustong tuparin ang kanilang pangako bilang lingkod bayan. Hindi po kailangan ng palakasan at papogian. Hindi ninyo kailangang sumipsip para mabigyan ng Performance Challenge Fund,” he said referring to the incentive given to LGUs that pass the seal of good governance.
The President shared that last year, 719 LGUs were given Performance Challenge Funds with a total incentive of P1 billion.
President Aquino stressed that incentives were not only given to allies but to all LGUs that will meet the requirements of good housekeeping.
He likewise reported that a total of 1,372 LGUs or close to 84 percent of the total number of LGUs, have complied with the good housekeeping requirements.
He challenged the remaining 20 percent to keep up and join in the government’s transformation.
This year’s LMP general assembly was attended by 1,228 mayors coming from different provinces and cities in the country. (PND)
