JARO, Leyte- The Department of Interior and Local Government(DILG) conferred the seal of good local governance (SGLG) award to the municipality of Jaro in Leyte in a simple ceremony held last September 14, 2015. DILG Regional Director Pedro Noval Jr. led the installation of the seal with Mayor Rolando T. Celebre, Vice Mayor Gualberto Elises Sr. and other local officials and government officials in attendance.
“Ang award na ito ay isang pagpapatunay na ang mga namumuno sa bayang ito ay hindi lang magagaling at matitino kundi sila ay mga tapat at marangal na mga lingkod Bayan,” Noval said in his message. “Ito ay ma ihahalintulad sa pagiging isang Summa Cum Laude sa pag tatapos sa kolehiyo dahilan sa ito ang pangatlong pagkakataon na ang inyong bayan ay naka tanggap ng award mula sa DILG at sana maipag patuloy niyo ang pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan alangalang sa kapakanan ng inyong mamamayan,” Noval added referring to the previous awards that were conferred to the municpality, the seal of good housekeeping bronze and silver category in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Mayor Celebre, for his part, said that he was overwhelmed with the recognition saying it came at a time that he was about to end his last term as chief executive of the town.
“Akoy nagagalak na kahit hindi ko nakamit ang pagiging summa cum laude sa aking pagtatapos sa kolehiyo, aking nakamtan ang pagiging Summa Cum Laude sa aking paglilingkod bilang Alkalde ng bayang ito. At ito ay aking inaalay sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan lalong lalo sa lahat nang bumubuo ng pamahalaan lokal ng Jaro,” he said. Mayor Celebre expressed his gratitude to all local government officials and the different sectors for their cooperation and support in attaining his administration’s programs and projects.
He said that, if notfor the support of all the stakeholders, the awarding of the SGLG would not have been possible. He encourages everyone to support the programs and projects of whoever will be elected in the next year’s election to be able to sustain the gains that were achieved by the municipality under his stewardship. Mayor Celebre, now on his last term as mayor, endorsed his daughter Zharena Celebre who is now an incumbent councilor to succeed him as chief executive of Jaro in next year’s elections.
To be awarded with SGLG, a local government unit has to pass all three core criteria namely; good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, and at least one of the essentials namely: business-friendliness and competitiveness, peace and order and environmental management. Aside from the seal that was installed in a concrete pedestal, Mayor Celebre was also awarded with the medal of good local governance for his exemplary leadership.
