36 LGUs in S. Mindanao get P48-M for good governance

MANILA, Philippines - At least 36 local government units (LGUs) in Southern Mindanao have received a total of P48 million for good governance and transparency in the use of public funds.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said the P48-million was part of the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) of the DILG to encourage local government officials to improve the lives of their constituents through good governance.

“We hope that through the PCF the beneficiary LGUs will be able to further enhance their performance, and improve their services to their constituents,” Robredo said.

Robredo said the 36 highly performing LGUs received their PCFs after being conferred the Seal of Good Housekeeping, considered a badge of pride for performing mayors.

Of the 36 recipient LGUs, 33 were municipalities, two were cities and one province. Each of the 33 municipalities received P1 million; Kidapawan and Cotabato each received P3 million; while the lone recipient province, Sarangani, received P7 million.

At least 17 municipalities in Cotabato, 10 in South Cotabato, four in Sarangani and four in Sultan Kudarat received their PCFs.

The PCF is a financial incentive granted to qualified LGUs for them to finance their local development initiatives along the areas of tourism and local economic development, disaster risk reduction and management and solid waste management.

The awarding of the PCF capped the 8th regional summit on disaster preparedness in Southern Mindanao, which was attended by more than 600 participants that includes governors, mayors and barangay officials, national government officials, representatives from non-government organization and civil society organizations.