ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/1 Sept) – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has awarded the city government of Zamboanga the Seal of Good Housekeeping, affirming the city’s efforts to promote good local governance.
The seal, engraved in a huge, thick glass and signed by the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, was formally turned over on Tuesday to the city government by DILG Regional Director Paizal Abutazil on behalf of Robredo.
Robredo initiated the Seal of Good Housekeeping for the local government units (LGUs) in a bid to promote transparency, accountability and efficiency in local governance.
The presentation of the marker by Abutazil came over a week after Robredo perished with two others: Piper Seneca plane pilot Capt. Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese co-pilot Kshitiz Chand after their plane plunged into the waters off Masbate last August 18.
Had Robredo not perished in the August 18 incident, the presentation of the Seal of Good Housekeeping to the city government would have been spearheaded by him, Abutazil said.
Zamboanga City was Robredo’s second most visited city outside of Naga, his hometown.
Mayor Celso Lobregat, together with city department heads, happily received the marker from Abutazil in simple rites held at the City Hall conference room.
Abutazil said the awarding of the Seal of Good Housekeeping is another significant milestone in the history of Zamboanga City since it signifies a solemn oath of the efforts to promote good local governance.
Abutazil said the DILG is aware of the efforts of the city government, led by Lobregat, as it endeavours to improve the lives of the Zamboangueños.
He said the award is a proof that good governance is possible if leadership is anchored on the principles of transparency and accountability.
Lobregat could not help but reminisce the numerous times that Robredo visited Zamboanga City for meetings with officials and staff of agencies under his department, for inauguration of city government-initiated projects, tackle peace and security concerns and for speaking engagements.
Having been named recipient of the Seal of Good Housekeeping, the city government of Zamboanga is a recipient of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
Zamboanga City is a recipient of P105 million for the implementation of various projects that include, among others, rural electrification, local roads connecting national roads, arterial farm to market roads and bridges, local economic enterprises, flood control and drainage and to support various priority projects of the national government such as the millennium development goals, Philippine disaster risk reduction and management act of 2010 and solid waste management act of 2000.
Zamboanga City was also named Regional Winner of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi award, another component of the Seal of Good Housekeeping project initiated by the late Robredo.
As Pamana ng Lahi winner, the city received P2 million prize money which was used to purchase 60 computer units and distributed to 12 public secondary and elementary schools in the city with turnover rites graced by the late Robredo last June 5.
(MindaNews)
