Out of the 78 Local Government Units (LGUs) that were assessed in MIMAROPA, a total of 66 LGUs or 85% percent hurdled the 2019 Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH) assessment.

GFH is an annual assessment undertaken by Local Government Units (LGUs) in compliance with the minimum governance standards. It is a recognition given to LGUs that sustain the practice of accountability and transparency by adhering with accounting and auditing standards and in compliance with the full disclosure policy.

To pass the audit, LGUs must meet the criteria contained in DILG MC No. 2014-13 that include most recent COA Audit Opinion as posted on COA website, stating unqualified or qualified opinion; compliance with Full Disclosure Policy (FDP) posting in three conspicuous places for the last two preceding quarters as certified by the DILG Regional Director and attested by CSO representative; and compliance with FDP Posting on the FDP Portal for the last two preceding quarters.

“Hinihikayat ko ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na mas lalo pang husayan at galingan ang pamamahala sa pamamagitan ng tapat at totoong paglilingkod. Ang Good Financial Housekeeping ay simbolo ng tiwala ng mamamayan at sagisag ng maayos na pangangalaga sa kaban ng bayan,” he added.

Moreover, GFH is a pre-requisite for an LGU to be qualified in the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award as a part of the “Good Fiscal or Financial Administration” criterion.

As a means of providing incentives, SGLG qualifiers will be eligible to receive financial grant under the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) program amounting to 4.5 million for provinces, 3.5 million for cities, and 2.3 million for municipalities that can be used to finance the local development projects like school buildings, health facilities, housing facilities, access roads, bridges, irrigation system, post-harvest facilities, flood control, storm drainage, dikes, seawalls, solid management system, sewerage system, website development and equipment, etc.

RD Suyko also urged the LGUs to focus on the core areas of the GFH and SGLG to help achieve the ultimate goal of the government in delivering ‘Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay’.

By: Whalee Ferrera