The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is upbeat about doubling the number of local government units (LGUs) in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) passing the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) this year.

Citing the result of the recent calibration, the DILG regional office here said at least 61 LGUs have been identified as potential SGLG passers based on assessments by the third-party monitoring partners.

In a statement Wednesday, DILG Regional Director Arnel Agabe said he is pushing for Project 66, which aims for a 100 percent increase in SGLG passers from last year’s 33 LGUs.

“The result of the SGLG validation will provide an overall analysis of the current situation and the progress made by each LGU towards the standards set by the SGLG, thereby laying the foundation for well-informed decision-making,” he said.

These LGUs were assessed based on their 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.

The SGLG, implemented under Republic Act No. 11292, 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. (PNA)