TWO YEARS ago, no local government unit (LGU) in the country’s autonomous Muslim region passed the good governance seal. They did better last year with six — Maguindanao province, Lamitan City in Basilan, and the towns of North Upi and Parang in Maguindanao, Wao in Lanao del Sur, and Jolo in Sulu — getting the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). This year, 25 are in the running after passing the regional level assessment, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said in a statement. “The 25 LGUs will still undergo a more strict assessment and national validation next week before the final list of passers (will be released),” said ARMM Interior and Local Government Secretary Noor Hafizullah Abdullah. “It’s (a confirmation) that the LGUs in ARMM are really providing better services to their constituents,” he added. The SGLG is a progressive assessment system intended to give recognition and distinction to good local government performance across several areas. Qualified LGUs get a cash incentive through the Performance Challenge Fund to finance local development projects. — BW Mindanao Bureau

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