Bohol named PHL's best in governance

CEBU, Philippines - After DILG's declaration of Bohol as the country's best in governance, Gov. Edgar Chatto went on air to thank all Boholanos for the achievement.

Chatto, via local and national radio interviews throughout the week and on Friday's Kita Ug Ang Gobernador, cited this recent success in the field of governance, while recognizing the support and cooperation not of all local leaders and the Boholano public.

"This latest achievement of our province is a result of our unified efforts to bring progress to Bohol and to uplift the living standards of our fellow Boholanos," he said.

He disclosed that, as soon as the news hit the national papers and the Internet, he got messages of inspiration and congratulations from Boholanos here and abroad via his mobile phones and social networking site.

DILG-Bohol provincial director Louella Lucino announced that Bohol province topped the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) report during Monday's Convocation Program at the Capitol. The program also kicked off the 111th Philippine Civil Service Commission Anniversary celebration.

With a score of 4.9370 out of highest possible score of 5, the highest obtained from among Local Government Units (LGUs) - provinces, highly urbanized and component cities, Bohol came out as the country's best governed province.

The LGPMS, a web-based tool managed by DILG evaluates the performance of LGUs in administrative, social, economic, and environmental governance in terms of good governance principles of transparency, participation, and financial accountability. Civil society organizations validated the DILG assessment in the region, said Lucino.

Chatto attributed the province's latest achievement to the principle of shared leadership, the program direction of teamwork by the entire province guided by the stewardship of the provincial government. He thanked Vice Governor Concepcion Lim, Provincial Board members, local officials, members of the management-executive board and the entire Capitol family.

The governor also cited the contributions of the past leaders who steered Bohol to what it is now, as well as the province's foreign and local partners for development. "Awards are not our objective to strive to do well, rather they are merely a consequence of good work, he said during Monday's program at the Capitol. He hoped that such distinction would serve as a challenge to inspire everyone to do better to maintain, if not surpass past performances." We are here not to compare ourselves with other cities and provinces, but to compare with our own selves, with a firm commitment to do better," he said.

Among provinces, Bohol on top was followed by La Union with 4.9115; Bulacan, 4.8628; Negros Oriental, 4.8331; Pangasinan,4.8185; Ilocos Norte, 4.8185; Albay, 4.8064; Cavite, 4.8031; Compostela Valley, 4.7812; and Tarlac, 4.7773. — w/ Leah/EDCom