| Led by Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, LGU-Isabela City submitted itself for another Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) evaluation by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Assessment Team (RAT), June 4. It can be recalled that Isabela City after several attempts was finally recognized and thus became in 2023, the only city SGLG awardee in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula.
This year’s assessment proper began with an overview of the activity presented by DILG IX Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED) Chief Dave Barrot, followed by document reviews and interviews per area with DILG regional assessors to include LGOO Ronnie Jade Biosada, LGOO Yvonne Abodano, Emma Albarico representing civil society organizations, and senior LGOO Mae Ann Tuden.
The SGLG mandates LGUs to successfully navigate all 10 governance areas, which include:
Financial Administration;
Disaster Preparedness;
Social Protection;
Peace and Order;
Business Friendliness & Competitiveness;
Environmental Protection;
Tourism, Culture, and the Arts;
Health Compliance and Responsiveness;
Sustainable Education; and
Youth Development
The assessment process involved a review of documents, interviews and comprehensive on-site validations of the CDRRM-OPCEN, Youth Development Center, Baluno-Lantung Solid Waste Facility, Baluno Super Evacuation Center, and the Senior Citizens’ Lounge at Barangay Tabuk.
At the culmination of the assessment, DILG IX Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Dave Barrot congratulated LGU-Isabela City for its preparedness and performance.
In her closing message Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, expressed gratitude and pride in Isabela City’s achievements, she emphasized, “Ang SGLG is like a way of life, trinabaho namin ‘to. We don’t make this just for compliance, but as public servants masarap sa pakiramdam yung ginagawa natin. Yung we go beyond what is needed and must for our Isabeleños.”
The Local Chief Executive then added: “Lahat kame nasa learning process pa and everyday maganda sa pakiramdam na you are learning and improving. Nakakahawa ang hard work, competency at yung makikita mo yung mga kasama mo, they go beyond expectations dahil ang gagaling… yun ang masasabi ko na good governance.”
The Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) is a program that offers an award, incentive, and recognition to all local government units (LGUs). In receiving such acknowledgment, LGUs are urged to embrace greater challenges, promote outcome-based performance, and acknowledge local government units for their endeavors in pursuing the overall welfare of the constituency and enforcing existing laws. (Words by R. Natividad-Sarael/Photos by M. Santos, CIO).
