PRE-POST ASSESSMENT OF THE SEAL OF GOOD LOCAL GOVERNANCE OF LGUS: ITS PERFORMANCE AND CHALLENGES

Administration

The Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) is a flagship recognition program in the Philippines that promotes transparency, accountability, and excellence in the performance of Local Government Units (LGUs). Unlike traditional assessment tools that often measure compliance in specific areas, the SGLG adopts a holistic approach by evaluating ten key governance areas: financial administration, disaster preparedness, peace and order, social protection, business-friendliness, environmental management, health services, education, culture and tourism, and youth development. This integrated evaluation encourages LGUs to sustain improvements across multiple aspects of governance. This study examined the effectiveness of the SGLG based on the experiences of local officials who directly participated in the assessment process. It focused on how assessments were conducted, the usability of tools, the feedback provided after assessments, and the influence of incentives and awards on LGU performance and compliance. Challenges such as limited financial and human resources, administrative inefficiencies, and low public engagement were also explored as common barriers to meeting SGLG standards. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire from three LGU officials in selected 1st to 3rd income class municipalities in Surigao del Sur. While the sample size was small, the insights gathered were rich and reflective of ground-level realities. The study acknowledges the possibility of bias but provides a meaningful starting point for evaluating the program’s effectiveness. It recommends further research involving more LGUs to support broader and more evidence-based improvements in the SGLG implementation.

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