DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Senatorial aspirant Benhur Abalos, Jr. hailed the winners of the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award and urged other local leaders to champion good governance and accountability in serving their communities.

"This award reflects the dedication of our local government officials to improve the lives of their constituents. It’s not just about earning recognition; it's about making a tangible difference in the lives of our people," said Abalos, and former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary. 

Abalos says that the SGLG is a key measure of progress in local governance. “The SGLG is a reminder that true development begins at the local level. It’s where the needs of the people are most felt.”

He called on other local government units (LGUs) to follow the examples set by the awardees and continue working together for a brighter future.

“When local leaders and their constituents dream together, big things happen. Let’s keep pushing for good governance in every corner of the Philippines. Together, we can achieve great things,” he said.

Abalos said leadership is about doing what is right and honest (Tama at Tapat na Pagkilos) in service to the people.

To further empower LGUs, Abalos stressed his plans to amend the Local Government Code of the Philippines to enable LGUs and the national government to provide much-needed basic services, such as building schools and tertiary hospitals, and addressing critical issues like hunger and housing. Abalos emphasized that these changes would strengthen LGUs’ ability to deliver inclusive and effective governance.

The former DILG head honcho also took the opportunity to share his experience as the former mayor of Mandaluyong City, which earned the SGLG during his tenure. 

"When we won the SGLG in Mandaluyong, it wasn’t just a victory for our city, it was a victory for the people. It was proof that good governance can lead to real, lasting change," he noted.

The success of the City of Mandaluyong under Abalos’ leadership exemplified the positive impact of good governance, from improving public services to fostering economic growth. 

“What we achieved in Mandaluyong shows that no matter the size of the city, effective leadership and the will to serve the people can bring about meaningful change. We invested in basic services, created jobs, and made sure that the benefits of development reached the people,” Abalos emphasized.

As the former mayor of Mandaluyong, Abalos was recognized for his outstanding public service. 

He received the United Nations Public Service Award for his program for children with disabilities, the Apolinario Mabini Award from President Joseph Estrada, and the Best Child Friendly City Award from President Benigno Aquino III. Mandaluyong also became a Galing Pook Awardee and a consistent SGLG awardee.