The Marikina City government has been awarded the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), winning the prestigious recognition for the second straight year under the leadership of Mayor Marcy Teodoro.
Marikina City was among the 14 National Capital Region (NCR) LGUs to receive the SGLG, according to the list released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) congratulated Teodoro and its other member-mayors whose local government units were recognized with the SGLG.
“Congratulations sa 102 nating kasamang alkalde sa Mayors for Good Governance matapos parangalan ang kanilang mga LGU ng Seal of Good Local Governance 2024,” said M4GG.
“Patunay lamang ito ng inyong dedikasyon para sa mabuting pamamahala sa pamamagitan ng mahusay na paglilingkod, pagiging tapat, at pakikipag-ugnayan sa taumbayan para sa ikabubuti ng inyong mga bayan,” it added.
Composed of more than 150 local chief executives, the M4GG is committed to fighting corruption and upholding transparency, innovation, and good governance.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa napakalaking pagkilalang ito na nakamit ng ating siyudad sa ikalawang sunod na taon sa pamumuno ni Mayor Marcy Teodoro,” Marikina 1st District Rep. Maan Teodoro said.
“Pinapatunayan ng award na ito na epektibo ang mga pagkilos ng lokal na pamahalaan ukol sa good governance at mga programa’t proyekto natin para sa mga taga-Marikina,” she added.
Under Teodoro’s leadership, the local government initiated the dredging of the Marikina River as a major project, resulting in the significant reduction of severe flooding incidents during typhoons and heavy rains.
Rep. Teodoro has allocated budget for the continuous dredging, which expanded the river’s width from 50 meters to almost 100 meters, increasing its water-carrying capacity and effectively preventing overflow and flooding.
The local government unit also purchased its own amphibious long-arm backhoe to improve the efficiency of the project.
Residents observed that the initiative has effectively reduced flooding, as floodwaters now quickly recede into the river in previous typhoons.
“Sobrang nagpapasalamat po kami sa Panginoon, at tsaka kay Ma’am Maan (Teodoro) at kay Mayor dahil nagawan po ng paraan,” said Joan Rebenito, a resident of Barangay Barangka.
“Malaking bagay po iyong paghuhukay dito, nalaliman po. Iyong dati at ngayon, iba po ngayon,” she added.
Judy Queno, a long-time resident of Barangay Tumana, welcomed the change brought about by dredging since she had grown accustomed to severe flooding during her more than 30 years in the area.
“Hindi na umakyat. Wala na, wala nang tubig. Napaka-epektibo talaga. Ngayon lang namin ito narasanan. Isipin mo iyon,” she pointed out.
The SGLG is awarded to an LGU based on its capacity to demonstrate proficiency in all 10 governance areas: financial administration and sustainability; disaster preparedness; social protection and sensitivity; health compliance and responsiveness; sustainable education; business-friendliness and competitiveness; safety, peace, and order; environmental management; tourism, heritage development, culture, and arts; and youth development.
Implemented under Republic Act No. 11292, the SGLG is an institutionalized award incentive, honor, and recognition-based program that aims to boost LGUs’ commitment to continuously progress and improve their performance in various governance areas.
