Beboy receives Gawad Pamana ng Lahi for good governance

AWARD FOR TRANSPARENCY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo poses with Mayor Eric C. Codilla (extreme right) and other local chief executives who were awarded the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.

THE awards reaped by the city and its people are a manifestation that the programs of the city government are reaching its constituents. This is how Mayor Eric C. Codilla regards the latest recognition earned by his administration: the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi which was bestowed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Mayor Codilla himself received a trophy from DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo in Manila during the culminating activity of Biyaheng Pinoy, a yearlong celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the Local Government Code. One province, city and municipality are chosen as awardees from each region.

Ormoc was conferred the award for its exemplary performance across major development initiatives in administrative, social, economic and environmental governance. “Through this awards program, we aim to recognize the invaluable contribution of LGUs (local government units) that have continuously adhered to the good governance principles of transparency, accountability and inclusivity in local administration and development” Robredo said.

The LGUs were chosen based on the following criteria: scores in the development indices from the Local Governance Performance Management System, Seal of Good Housekeeping, organization of national government-bestowed awards and acknowledged innovations.

The Seal of Good Housekeeping, on the other hand, is a mechanism comprising a set of criteria aimed at recognizing LGUs with good performance in internal housekeeping particularly in the areas of planning, sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and valuing performance management.

Apart from the trophy, Ormoc also received P2 million as funding support for implementing programs and projects under the Millennium Development Goals. Permits, Licensing and Franchising Chief Emilio G. Tingson said the LGU has a choice of utilizing the money for solid waste management, climate change mitigation and tourism.

Mayor Codilla said the accolades bestowed on his administration are a result of the reforms he initiated for the past seven years. It also proves the success of his programs like in agriculture. He cited Amelito C. Aragon of Curva who was proclaimed Outstanding Vegetable Farmers for 2011 during the 87^th Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Day at Visayas State University.

Another awardee, Barangay Captain Alfredo Roble of Valencia, was named National Outstanding Hybrid Farmer and will receive a presidential trophy and P100,000 cash for additional capital. He is one of the earliest recipients of the LGU’s Rice Production Enhancement Program.

 

Mayor Codilla said these citations are his answer to critics’ disapproval of his performance. Granting that there is still so much inefficiencies in his governance as charged by his critics, his administration can be considered the most efficient among the inefficient, he said. He notes how easy it is easier for his detractors to criticize him but fail to provide alternative solutions to problems. by Felix N. Codilla III

(Issue of Oct. 10-16, 2011)