CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga (PIA) -- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recognized outstanding local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon through the Gawad Timpukan 2022.

DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo Iringan said the ceremony is the agency’s way of recognizing the transformational leadership, vision, resilience, and teamwork the LGUs have displayed in the face of the changing governance landscape.

“The Gawad Timpukan serves as a constant reminder on how we can, through the DILG, recognize and value what the LGUs have contributed in the attainment of our shared undertakings, and the effort you make in helping us realize the overall national development objectives in creating better conditions for our communities,” he said.

Iringan added that the initiative is also to recognize the efforts of the national and local governments in working together to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by building resilience and sustaining the momentum towards national recovery.

The official emphasized that the awarding ceremony is to honor the LGUs which remained steadfast in building stronger communities and creating better conditions for the people amid challenges and limitations including disasters and calamities.

“The LGUs’ presence here today is not a product of mere coincidence or fate, but it is something that you worked hard for. It is something that you and your team have sacrificed for in order to make an impactful difference in the lives of your people,” he stated.

Iringan added that the event is also to strengthen the relationship between DILG and LGUs which have been working together in closing governance gaps, lessening the sociopolitical and economic divides, and breaking the barriers on inclusive and sustainable development through good local governance. 

Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards 

DILG conferred the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) to LGUs with exemplary performance and commendable contributions in the promotion of Katarungang Pambarangay by fulfilling the goal to promote speedy administration of justice at the barangay level.

“Our outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa should be the first in line to resolve our community disputes. It is a mechanism for conflict resolution in the overall administration of justice and maintenance of peace and order in our communities,” Iringan explained.

The regional winner for the LTIA 4th-6th Class Category was barangay Santa Lucia in Samal, Bataan followed by barangay Camiing in Cabangan, Zambales as the first runner-up, and barangay San Cristobal in Licab, Nueva Ecija as second runner-up.

Under the 1st-3rd Class Municipality Category, barangay Alangan in Limay, Bataan emerged as the regional winner; barangay Rizal in San Marcelino, Zambales as first runner-up; and barangay O'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac as second runner-up.

For the LTIA Component City category, the regional winner was barangay Malpitic in City of San Fernando, Pampanga followed by barangay Tungkong Mangga in City of San Jose Del Monte as the first runner-up, and barangay San Carlos in Tarlac City as second runner-up.

For the LTIA Highly-urbanized City category, the regional winner was barangay Balibago, Angeles City followed by barangay New Kalalake, Olongapo City as the second placer.

Barangay Environmental Compliance Audit

DILG recognized LGUs with exemplary performance and high-compliance to environmental laws and their creativity in implementing programs that encourage community participation through the Barangay Environmental Compliance Audit (BECA).

The award was borne out of the need to address the gaps in solid waste management between the barangay and the city or municipality level, in support to the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation and Preservation Program.

Regional top performer under the Municipality Category for the BECA was Pinagbarilan in Baliwag, Bulacan followed by barangay San Antonio in Bagac, Bataan as the second placer, and barangay Benedicto in Floridablanca, Pampanga as the third placer.

For the City Category, the regional top performer was barangay Lote Puerto Rivas in Balanga City; Gaya-Gaya, City of San Jose Del Monte was second placer; and barangay Sangitan West, Cabanatuan City was third placer.

Fisheries Compliance Audit

Another recognition given was the Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA) which aims to incentivize local government units that go above and beyond in the management of their fisheries resources.

As an award under the Manila Bay Clean-Up, Rehabilitation and Preservation Program, the FishCA gives highlight to LGUs that are outstanding in biodiversity conservation and fisheries resource management.

Balanga City emerged as the regional winner followed by Sasmuan in Pampanga and Pilar in Bataan as second and third placer, respectively.

Balanga City was also the top performer for the 2022 FishCA National Awarding Ceremony.

MANILA BAYani Awards and Incentives

DILG presented the MANILA BAYani Awards and Incentives (MBAI) to outstanding LGUs for their unmatched implementation of environmental programs towards the complete rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

The LGU Compliance Assessment for the MBAI included the implementation of liquid waste management, solid waste management, management of informal settler families, and the conduct of information, education and communication campaigns.

For the Municipal Category, the regional winner was Baliwag, Bulacan followed by Guiguinto, Bulacan as the second placer and municipality of Dinalupihan in Bataan as the third placer.

Under the City Category, Balanga emerged as the regional winner; San Jose Del Monte as second placer; and San Fernando, Pampanga as third placer.

Balanga City was also hailed as the 2021 MBAI National Top Performer.

Seal of Good Local Governance

DILG likewise awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) passers among Central Luzon LGUs.

Iringan explained that awardees received the SGLG incentive fund which is a financial subsidy to qualified LGUs that shall be used for local priority projects or reforms that will help enhance transparency and accountability in all their transactions.

The fund also aims to intensify the preparedness of LGUs against disasters, cultivate the welfare of vulnerable sectors, ensure the delivery of quality health services, support the vision of quality education for all, promote peace and order, safeguard and preserve the integrity of the environment, boost economic development, foster the value of sustainable tourism and nurture culture and heritage, and stimulate meaningful participation in local governance.

For the province of Aurora, SGLG passers were the towns of Baler, Dingalan, Maria Aurora, and San Luis.

Moreover, recipients in Bataan include the provincial government, city of Balanga, and the municipalities of Bagac, Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Morong, Orani, Orion, Pilar, and Samal.

SGLG winners in Bulacan, on the other hand, were the provincial government, city of San Jose del Monte and the towns of Balagtas, Baliwag, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Pulilan, and Santa Maria.

For the province of Nueva Ecija, recipients include the provincial government, San Jose City, Cabiao, Cuyapo, Guimba, Llanera, Rizal, San Antonio, San Leonardo, Santa Rosa, Talavera, and Zaragoza.

Meanwhile, Pampanga has 14 SGLG passers namely the City of San Fernando, Mabalacat City, Apalit, Arayat, Bacolor, Candaba, Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Magalang, Mexico, Porac, San Luis, and Santo Tomas.

Tarlac SGLG victors were the provincial government, Tarlac City, Bamban, Camiling, Capas, Gerona, Moncada, Paniqui, Pura, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, and Victoria.

And lastly, the municipalities of Botolan and San Antonio were the recipients in Zambales.

Municipal SGLG awardees received P5 million while cities received P7 million and provincial governments got P9.5 million.

“I do believe that the incentive fund is only secondary to each and every one of you. What is more important is you highlight your adherence to good governance and principles of transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. What should be highlighted is your desire to provide better services for your constituents,” Iringan pressed.

Locally-Funded Projects

DILG bestowed awards to LGUs that exemplified outstanding performance in the implementation of different Locally-Funded Projects (LFPs). 

Iringan underscored that it is vital that LGUs fast-track the implementation of their LFPs, particularly those that are funded from the local government support fund, financial assistance to LGUs, and the Support to Barangay Development Program. 

“There should be no reason to delay the implementation of these projects. Let’s bear in mind that the delay in the implementation of these projects is to deny the people the benefits that they can get from these projects,” he said.

For this initiative, DILG selected the Best LFP Monthly Featured Projects among LGUs with best practices in project implementation of LFPs through the submission of write ups, photos, and videos.

The Best LFP Monthly Featured Project for April was Limay, Bataan; Anao, Tarlac for May; Botolan, Zambales for June; Dingalan, Aurora for July; Santa Maria, Bulacan for August; Gapan City for September; and Arayat, Pampanga for October.

Meanwhile, another set of awards for the LFPs are the Top Performing LGUs in the implementation of projects under F.Y. 2021 Local Government Support Fund – Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (LGSF-DRRAP).

The Best Implementer of the LGSF-DRRAP Horizontal Category was San Luis, Pampanga while Baler, Aurora won the Vertical Category.

Moreover, DILG cited the Top Performers in the implementation of projects under F.Y. 202 Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU).

The Best Implementer of the LGSF-FALGU Horizontal Category was San Ildefonso, Bulacan while Plaridel, Bulacan won the Vertical Category.

The last award under LGSF-FALGU was given to Minalin, Pampanga for the best project implementation of water projects.

On the other hand, DILG also awarded LGUs that signified an effective and efficient implementation of projects under F.Y. 2021 Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces (CMGP) Program.

The provincial government of Nueva Ecija won as the Best Implementer of the CMGP while the provincial government of Bulacan emerged as the Best Implementer of the CMGP Governance Reform.

DILG also hailed LGUs and personnel for their collaborative efforts and commitment towards successful implementation of F.Y. 2021 Local Government Support Fund – Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP).

The winner under this category was the provincial government of Bulacan with recognition to barangay San Mateo in Norzagaray.

The last award given under the LPFs was the outstanding performance on the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children and the Local Council for the Protection of Children.

The provincial governments of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac as well as the city governments of Angeles and Olongapo received the award.

With this, Iringan urged the LGUs to look forward in accelerating recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and prioritize high-impact and growth-inducing expenditures on health, disaster risk management, social protection, peace and order, insurgency, and the continuing need to improve the quality of the delivery of government’s basic services. 

“As we roll up our sleeves and prepare for next year, we hope that we will see you in the streets and far-flung communities you serve, building bridges, bringing hope, inspiring local leaders, and creating stronger local institutions,” he further shared.

He pledged that DILG will continue in providing capacity building initiatives, technical support, and administrative guidance in the exercise of its mandate of general supervision to all LGUs. (CLJD/JLDC-PIA 3)