By Richard R. Gappi

Regional officials of the Department of Interior and the Local Government or DILG recently issued a certification showing that the Municipality of Angono has spent and audited its public funds completely and with full transparency.

A copy of the result of the assessment was provided to the Angono Public Information Office by the local DILG .

The certification was signed by Alfredo Mamuyac, Girlie Zara and Director of Bureau of Local Government Section of the regional DILG Manuel Q. Gotis, CESO III.

SGFH, formerly the Seal of Good Housekeeping, refers to the compliance of the local government unit with accounting and auditing standards, rules and regulations.

These include Unqualified or Qualified Commission on Audit Opinion of the immediately preceding year as well as Compliance with the Full Disclosure Policy of Local Budget and Finances, Bids and Public Offerings such as Annual Budget, Statement of Receipts and Expenditures, Annual Procurement Plan or Procurement List, and Bid Results On Civil Works. Goods and Services and Consulting Services, among others.

SGFH is one of the six area assessments for an LGU before it can be awarded the SGLG or Seal of Good Local Governance.

Other SGLG variables include Disaster Preparedness; Social Protection that is sensitive to the needs of vulnerable sectors like women, children, senior citizens, indigenous peoples and persons with disability (PWD), among others; Business-Friendliness and competitiveness that demonstrates good performance in business promotion as a result of business-friendliness or competitiveness assessment by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry or the National Competitiveness Council;

Peace and Order that shows considerable efforts in maintaining peace and order in the community by adopting a Local Anti-Criminality Action Plan or Peace and Order Council Action Plan; and Environmental Management, or displaying substantial efforts in safeguarding the integrity of the environment.

The DILG financial clearance adds to the growing list of Angono’s awards it has reaped for the past three years such as Seal of Good Local Governance in 2015 and 2016, 1st Child Labor Free Municipality in the country, Child Friendly Municipality, Best Public Employment Service Office in the country in 2015, Best Anti-Squatting Program in 2015, Best YES Clean and Green program and cleanest waterways for 2017 in the 1st district of the province , among others.

This year, it claimed the 3rd spot as the Most Competitive Municipality among 1st-2nd towns in the country.

The award was given by the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines and Department of Trade and Industry which cited Angono’s exemplary performance in infrastructure and business promotion, good governance, resiliency and peace and order.

This Wednesday, October 11, Mayor Gerry Calderon will present Angono’s final push as it vies for the prestigious Gawad Galing Pook, an award which the municipality first received for its “Sa Turismo, Aangat ang Angono” entry in early 2000.