Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo thankful for another recognition of the good and honest governance in place in Manila. (JERRY S. TAN)
FOR the first time in many years, the City of Manila under the leadership of Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo made into the National Level of Seal of Good Local Governance from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
This, it was learned, is the last step toward clinching the prestigious recognition for qualified local government units (LGUs).
The said recognition was given to the Manila LGU for its efficient, honest and good governance based on the following criteria: efficient supervision and use of city funds; readiness during calamities and emergency situations; sensitivity to the needs of constituents specially the vulnerable sector like senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), women, youth and indigenous people (IPs);efficiency in business promotion; maintenance of peace and order in the communities and environment protection.
In her recent State of the City Address (SOCA), Lacuna reported that the city of Manila has already managed to pay some P3 billion out of the staggering P17.8 billion debt that she inherited from the past administration.
When it comes to taking good care of the vulnerable sector, the city is implementing the social amelioration program (SAP) which was enabled by an ordinance passed during the time that Lacuna was Presiding Officer of the Manila City Council, a position she concurrently held as Vice Mayor at that time.
The SAP provides for monthly financial assistance to senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disability (PWDs) and university students. When she became mayor, the minors with disability (MWDs) were added to the beneficiaries of the program.
Aside from the cash assistance being given monthly, the beneficiaries of SAP are also provided with job opportunities through the public employment service office (PESO).
Numerous free, basic health services are also provided for them that include laboratory procedures like x-ray and ultrasound, which can be availed in the 44 health centers aside from the six district hospitals.
For her part, Lacuna thanked the DILG for the recognition of the city’s initiatives to provide Manilans with a quality, better life and future.
She also cited the cooperation and support of all the local officials and city employees, saying the accomplishments and recognition being reaped by Manila would not have been possible without their help.
Manila Reaches National Level Of Seal Of Good Local Governance For The First Time
