MORE NEWS, ILOCOS SUR

Candon picked ‘best performing’ Ilocos LGU
By Mar T. Supnad

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — This component city was adjudged Best Performing Local Government Unit (city level) in the Ilocos Region. Mayor Allen G. Singson said the honor came as a result of combined efforts of city officials, heads of departments, employees and workers of attached national government agencies.

The mayor said the cooperation of the people of Candon also played a key role in the efforts to make the city government an efficient and effective LGU.

The award was given during the Regional Development Council meeting held recently in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

The eldest son of Rep. Eric D. Singson,(2nd district), Mayor Singson said the award was a reflection of the harmonious relationship among city officials, the city employees, and residents.

Vice Mayor Nestor Itchon said the legislative branch had always been very supportive of all city’s programs and projects.

"We share the same objectives and visions with the executive department as far as the delivery of services to our people is concerned, that is why we had excellent performance," Itchon said.

"I was expecting it because the city met all the requirements," said Victoria Ramos, the city’s local government operations officer.

The Region 1 RDC, in Excom Resolution No. 46, series of 2007, approved on Dec. 20 last year a proposal for the conduct of RDC-DILG Performance Awards.
It recommended two categories, the "Best Performing LGU," and the "Best Practices in the Ilocos."

The RDC said that the award aims to encourage LGUs to adopt good practices in the implementations of programs.

The Best Performing LGU was evaluated on five areas. These are a) governance, 20 percent; b) administration, 35 percent; c)social services, 25 percent; d) economic development, 10 percent; and e) environmental management, 10 percent.

The selection process was led and coordinated by the committee on development and ddministration. The regional selection team was composed of the Region 1 offices of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Budget and Management, and Civil Service Commission-1.

Ramos said that the DILG is the lead agency because in the evaluation process, it is using the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) system. Meanwhile, Singson said that the city expressed the hope that city would reap similar awards in the future, noting the smooth rapport in the governance affairs of the city.

"This recognition is being shared with everybody because this is something we aspire for," Singson said.