International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue XI, November 2022|ISSN 2454-6186

The Seal of Good Local Governance in Digos City: Challenges and Opportunities

 Josef F. Cagas¹, Garnette Mae V. Balacy^2
1Masters in Public Administration, Student of the College of Science and Technology Education
University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
²Faculty member, Davao del Sur State College, Digos City, Philippines

Abstract: This descriptive study aimed to explore the challenges and opportunities of the local government of Digos in its endeavor for the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) and the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF). Mixed methods research design was employed, particularly the convergent parallel approach. The qualitative part constructed the enabling factors and areas for improvement in the implementation of the SGLG and PCF based on accounts of personnel of the City Government who were directly involved in the assessment and preparations, representatives of oversight government agencies relevant to the seven SGLG criteria and PCF project beneficiaries. The quantitative part described the level of perceptions on the contribution of the SGLG and PCF to improved local governance in the City based on a survey to the constituents. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to process the data. It was found that the enabling factors in the accomplishment of the SGLG award of Digos City were anticipation, articulation and delegation, while areas for improvement were risk aversion, information and data management, participation and devolution. The perception of the people of Digos City also revealed a high level of agreement (x=3.98, n=399) that the SGLG and PCF elicited improved local governance. Considering each criteria of the SGLG, it was found that the areas on financial administration and business friendliness and competitiveness have garnered very high levels of perception. Based on these findings, it was inferred that the challenges for Digos City for better implementation of the SGLG law in the future are risk management and increasing spaces for participation while the opportunities are implementation of e-governance and increasing capacity for decentralization.

Keywords: Seal of Good Local Governance, Performance Challenge Fund, Challenges, Opportunities, Digos City

I. INTRODUCTION

Establishing local governments that are highly accountable, effective, and transparent results in the efficient delivery of public services and high levels of public trust. Yet the ramifications of external shocks like the pandemic and economic crisis make the whole gamut of local governance laden with intricacies. In the Philippines, since the Local Government Code was enacted in 1991, the full benefits of the fiscal decentralization policy is yet to be seen. There are observed discrepancies in local development caused by lack of due diligence in the practice of devolved powers and responsibilities [1]. Following the tenets of new public management, a way to address this paradox is the adoption of performance management systems. Recently, performance evaluation became a significant means of improving efficiency