Sulat, 4 other Eastern Samar towns obtain DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping

By BRYAN M. AZURA
August 14, 2012

BORONGAN CITY  –  The Department of Interior and Local Government Unit (DILG) Provincial Office revealed that Sulat and four other towns in Eastern Samar are also awarded the seal of good housekeeping for following fiscal standards set by Commission of Audit (COA).

According to Lydia Loyola, DILG provincial director, other than Sulat, the other municipalities that received the seal are Balangiga, Hernani, Maydolong and Dolores. I congratulate them for a job-well-done, Loyala said.

Engr. Nida dela Cruz, provincial focal person of DILG said that these municipalities has been awarded government support fund to be added in their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and can be used in projects being implemented in their respective municipalities. Balangiga receives P600 thousand, Hernani receives P400 thousand, Maydolong receives P900 thousand, Dolores receives P1M and Sulat will get P700 thousand. Figures vary depending on the income class of the municipality.

Dela Cruz added that aside from the IRA augmentation fund, these LGUs will also have access to DILG’s Performance Challenge Fund amounting to P1 million.

Loyola maintained that these financial awards are not intended as payment in exchange of good fiscal management but as incentives for the performance of LGUs.

To recall with, DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo made a challenge to LGUs to follow government standards. Just perform and I’ll make you a millionaire, Robredo said.

In a memorandum circular dated October 31, 2010 signed by Sec. Robredo, all provincial governors, city mayors and municipal mayors are directed to post in conspicuous places, in the internet or in a newspaper of wide circulation their Annual Budget; Statement of Cash Flows; Statement of Receipts and Expenditures; Trust Fund (PDAF) Utilization; Educational Fund Utilization; Component of the IRA Utilization; Gender and Development Fund Utilization; Statement of Debt Service; Annual Procurement Plan or Procurement List; Statement of Debt Service; Items to Bid; Bid Results on Civil Works, and Good and Services; and Abstract of Bids as Calculated.

The DILG officials said that all municipalities undergo an annual evaluation conducted by the department and Civil Society Organizations (CSO). It’s during these evaluations wherein the documents required are fully disclosed, dela Cruz said.

However, dela Cruz said that once an LGU is graded by COA with a disclaimer or adverse, these will automatically disqualify the LGU in the selection process.

For this year, the Citizen’s Charter will be included in the selection of LGUs for the seal. This charter encourages LGUs to be client-friendly. Transactions in the government should be easier for clients, Loyola said.