The Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PGNV), under the leadership of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, through the Provincial Administrator’s Office, led by OIC- Provincial Administrator Jovito O. Celestino, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), headed by Provincial Director Catherine G. Allam- Miranda, conducted the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Utilization Conference at the Ammungan Hall, Capitol Compound, Bayombong, on March 4, 2025. This is aimed at reviewing, assessing, and discussing key strategies for improving local governance practices in the province.
The conference was attended by various selected offices, each tasked with overseeing one or more of the 10 Governance Areas, which include Financial Administration, Social Protection, Environmental Management, Health Compliance and Responsiveness, and others. Each of these governance areas plays a big role in improving the province’s overall performance and its ability to serve Novo Vizcayanos effectively. The collaboration between the PGNV and DILG fosters transparency, accountability, and good governance at the local level.
DILG representatives presented an in-depth review of the 2024 SGLG implementation, showcasing both the strengths and areas for improvement based on the most recent assessment. This was followed by a discussion of updates for CY 2025, focusing on the evolving criteria for the SGLG and the necessary actions to maintain and surpass the standards set by the award.
The conference concluded with an interactive open forum, providing participants with the opportunity to share their feedback, insights, and suggestions on how to further enhance their governance practices. This forum became a platform for open dialogue, enabling the attendees to discuss specific challenges they face and collectively brainstorm solutions. One of the key points discussed was how the provincial government could maintain its SGLG award, which it successfully received last year. The participants stressed that it is important to re-evaluate and strengthen the areas that still require improvement, making sure that the province remains a model of good governance.
The discussions during the forum were not only centered on celebrating the past achievement but also on preparing for future assessments. Strategies were proposed to improve performance in areas that had been identified as weaker points in the previous evaluations. The need for proactive measures and continuous monitoring was stressed. The goal was to guarantee that Nueva Vizcaya not only sustains its award but also strives for improvement to deliver better governance to all Novo Vizcayanos. /jmcb
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