Capitol gives P43M to exemplary LGUs
Over P43 million worth of awards were given away by the provincial government of Cebu to top performing local government units (LGUs) last Tuesday.
A total of 82 awards were given to the LGUs. Aside from the recognition, monetary rewards were also given.
The cities of Bogo and Naga both garnered the Our Cebu Program PlatinumAward.
It is an award given to an LGU which has a rating of 81 to 90.
Aside from a trophy, each of the two was given a cash prize and financial assistance totaling P1.5 million.
Gold Awards were given to the 12 LGUs which garnered a score 71 to 80.
Silver Awards were given to 23 LGUs which had scores ranging from 61 to 70, while the Bronze Awards were given to 13 LGUs which had a rating of 51-60.
No one this year was able to reach the Diamond Award, the highest recognition an LGU may attain. It is granted to those which can get a rating of 91 to 100.
In the barangay category, one was able to get a platinum level award, one was gold, six were silver, and 15 got the bronze recognition.
From scorecards as assessment tool, the Our Cebu Program this year used a set of rubrics, which represents six attributes — green, historical and cultural, inclusiveness and competitiveness, livability, and resiliency and governance.
Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO) Rodel Bontuyan said the LGU with the highest scores in each of the attributes received a recognition and cash rewards.
Dalaguete, Cebu was named the Green Champion, a forefront in terms of environment protection.
Medellin was recognized as the most resilient LGU, an award for the one with the best disaster risk reduction and management measures in place.
Bogo City was dubbed as the most livable LGU while Naga City was recognized with the best in local development governance.
Finally, Argao and Poro towns were both recognized for best in heritage work.
Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale added that the puroks were also included in the awards for the first time. Only three were able to pass and get the Purok Award namely Purok 1 of Barangay Tinaan in Naga City, Purok Bangus of Barangay Nailon in Bogo City, and Purok Tambis of Barangay Heneral in Tudela.
Aside from being an award-giving body, Magpale said that the Our Cebu Program (OCP) encourages growth in the government units through its mentoring and coaching.
“We continue to believe and are fully convinced that this program will truly respond to the need of building an ideal Cebuano community now and in the future,” Magpale said.
Anton Dignadice of the RamonAboitiz Foundation Inc., a partner institution for OCP, said that the LGUs get to see not only their strengths but also their weaknesses. The areas where the unit got low scores will be evaluated.
From that, a mentoring plan will be developed in order to address the issues and concerns. Moreover, a Capitol representative which specializes on the field where the LGU is weak will be assigned to monitor and recommend measures which can be done.
“Towards the goal of building sustainable communities province-wide, it is my hope that we can truly make a difference and bring out the best in all the local government units that we are trying to help and make Cebu province truly a sustainable place to live, work, invest and do business,” said Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.
The awards were given to the winners last Tuesday at the Cebu Grand Convention.Aside from the awarding ceremony, the mayors and other leaders in Cebu Province exchanged ideas on what are the best practices in their respective LGU which may be applicable to the others.
Keynote Speaker Regional Director Efren Carreon said that the gathering was also another call to make Cebu an even better model province in the country. —