Top Govs pick based on good governance, transparency, business competitive, and disaster preparedness says Sueno

Press Release
August 22, 2016

QUEZON CITY – Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno today clarified that the national government will not give additional incentives to top governors who were recently identified in terms of good governance, transparency, business competitive and disaster preparedness.

“We are not giving them extra bonuses by being announced as the good guys in the government,” Secretary Sueno said in a Press Conference earlier this afternoon in Malacañang.

The secretary said the governors that were listed as ‘good performing local executives’ are selected based on their achievements in their respective provinces.

Among these top governors recently dubbed as “honor lists” include Governors Imee Marcos of Ilocos Norte; Faustino Dy III, Isabela; Junie Cua, Quirino; Eduardo Firmalo, Palawan; Alfredo Marañon Jr, Negros Occidental; Eduardo Chatto, Bohol; Hilario Davide III, Cebu; Daisy Avance-Fuentes, South Cotabato; Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba, Agusan Del Norte.

He added: “Containing the illegal drugs problem is only one thing. These governors are also model governors. They are governors in governance and transparency. They are awardees. They are good in disaster preparedness, and they have made their provinces competitive when it comes to business. They are model leaders, model local executives.”

Secretary Sueno likewise explained the recognition of top governors was only initial as the national government through the DILG will also recognize outstanding city and municipal mayors in the coming weeks.

He also clarified that the idea of coming up with a list of top governors is intended to challenge and inspire the local chief executives to continue to improve leadership in the local government units (LGUs) despite the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs that are affecting some local leaders.

He said some of the governors that are in the good governors’ list were also among those that were labeled as members of the political dynasties because they have outweighed the issue of ‘political dynasty” and proved that they are ‘very good administrators.’