In the light of the declaration of Bohol as the country’s best in governance, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto repeatedly expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all Boholanos. He made this clear through local and national radio interviews throughout the week and on Friday’s Kita Ug Ang Gobernador; citing this recent success in the field of governance, recognizing the indispensable support and cooperation not just of all local leaders but the Boholano public as a whole. “This latest achievement of our province is a result of our unified efforts to bring progress to Bohol and to uplift the living standards of our fellow Boholanos” The governor reiterated as messages of inspiration and congratulations from Boholanos here and abroad flooded his mobile phones and social networking site, as soon as news hit the national papers and the internet.

DILG Provincial Director Louella Lucino announced that Bohol province topped the Local Governance Performance Management System report during Monday’s Convocation Program at the Capitol. The program also kicked off the 111 th Philippine Civil Service Commission Anniversary celebration. With a score of 4.9370 out of highest possible score of 5, the highest obtained from among Local Government Units (LGUs) - provinces, highly urbanized and component cities, Bohol came out as the country’s best governed province. The LGPMS, a web-based tool managed by DILG evaluates the performance of Local Government Units (LGUs) in administrative, social, economic, and environmental governance in terms of good governance principles of transparency, participation, and financial accountability. Civil society organizations validated the DILG assessment in the region, according to Lucino.

Chatto attributed the province’s latest achievement to the principle of shared leadership, the program direction of teamwork by the entire province guided by the stewardship of the Provincial Government. He specifically thanked Vice Governor Concepcion Lim, the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, local officials, the members of the management-executive board and the entire capitol family. He also cited the contributions of the past leaders who steered Bohol to what we are now, as well as the province’s foreign and local partners for development. “Awards are not our objective to strive to do well, rather they are merely a consequence of good work, he said while sharing the feat with the entire Capitol workforce who attended Monday’s program. Chatto is hopeful that such distinction serves as a challenge to inspire everyone to do better to maintain, if not surpass past performances.” We are here not to compare ourselves with other cities and provinces, but to compare with own selves, with a firm commitment to do better”, Chatto stressed.

Bohol came in on top, followed by La Union with 4.9115; Bulacan, 4.8628; Negros Oriental, 4.8331; Pangasinan,4.8185; Ilocos Norte, 4.8185; Albay, 4.8064; Cavite, 4.8031; Compostela Valley, 4.7812; and Tarlac, 4.7773. Meanwhile, Valenzuela with 4.9150 emerged as best governed among highly urbanized cities, which also included the cities of San Juan with 4.8875; Puerto Princesa, 4.8640; Angeles, 4.7410; Davao, 4.7380; Naga, 4.6940; Zamboanga, 4.6865; Iligan, 4.6710; Cebu, 4.6633; and Taguig, 4.6415. Among independent component cities, Ligao was the top performer with a score of 4.9240; followed by Laoag, 4.9193; San Fernando, 4.9177; Vigan, 4.8617; Gingoog, 4.8568; Cabanatuan, 4.8363; Dipolog, 4.8113; La Carlota, 4.7553; Iriga, 4.7522; and Batac, 4.7430. In the national news, DILG Sec Jesse Robredo lauded local governments for their commitment in elevating and maintaining the highest standards of public service delivery in their respective localities. “I hope that their shining examples will inspire others to strive hard in the performance of their duties,” Robredo said. (Leah/EDCom)