The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently awarded the City Government of Davao the 2022 Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping (SGFH) for the 12th year for its commitment to following accounting and auditing standards, rules, and regulations as evaluated by the Commission of Audit (COA).
City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) Coordinator Engr. Ivan C. Cortez, in an interview with the City Information Office (CIO), said the SGFH validated the city’s responsible and efficient financial management practices and renews eligibility for the 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance.
He said, “With DILG recognizing Davao City as a Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping awardee since 2011 means we are steadfast in being a center of excellence in public governance. The city ensures that our processes and systems for fiscal management are sound and that the City Government is always accountable and transparent.”
Cortez also said the City Government of Davao is committed to upholding the city’s Government Quality Policy by adhering to compliance with regulatory and applicable requirements and achieving effective and efficient processes and service delivery systems.
The Seal of Good Local Governance Act of 2019, or Republic Act 11292, is a recognition-based program for all local government units (LGUs) aimed at promoting good governance and progress.
The award is given to LGUs with good fiscal administration and financial sustainability, as demonstrated by the receipt of the SGFH.
DILG each year selects and awards deserving LGUs the SGFH, formerly known as the Seal of Good Housekeeping, since 2010. The award recognizes LGUs that prioritize accountability and transparency in their financial management practices. It aims to promote the responsible and efficient use of public funds, minimize corruption and misuse, and increase public awareness of the allocation of funds for local development projects.
An LGU receiving the SGFH must adhere to accounting and auditing standards, comply with full disclosure policies, manage resources wisely, and effectively utilize available tools for local development.
CRITERIA
To achieve the SGFH, the City Government of Davao was required to post 14 updated financial documents in the Full Disclosure Policy Portal (FDPP) and three conspicuous places within the city. These documents had to be posted within the required posting period.
The 14 necessary documents are the Annual Budget, Annual Procurement Plan, Statement of Receipts and Expenditures, Statement of Indebtedness Payment and Balances, Annual Gender and Development Accomplishment Report, Trust Fund Utilization, 20% Component of the Internal Revenue Allotment Utilization, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund Utilization, Quarterly Statement of Cash Flow, Bid Results on Civil Works, Goods and Services, and Consulting Services, Special Education Fund Utilization, Unliquidated Cash Advances, and Manpower Complement.
To meet these criteria and qualifications, the City Government of Davao demonstrated a commitment to accountability and transparency in its financial management practices, adhering to accounting and auditing standards, complying with full disclosure policies, and effectively utilizing available resources for local development.
According to Cortez, six of the 14 mandatory documents for the SGFH are posted annually, while the remaining eight are posted quarterly. The specific posting period for these documents is observed and displayed on Local Governance Information Boards located at City Hall near the City Treasurer’s Office, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal.
Each office responsible for the necessary documents is aware of its obligations, which resulted in the City Government of Davao receiving the award since 2011, demonstrating its consistent adherence to posting these documents within the required time frame.
ATTRIBUTIONS
The City Government of Davao is committed to maintaining sound fiscal management and promoting transparency in governance, and it was achieved through lead offices – the City Budget Office, City Accountant’s Office, and the City Treasurer’s Office.
The City General Services Office (GSO), Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) under the City Mayor’s Office and the Human Resource Management Office also took part in achieving the city’s SGFH feat.
GSO was in charge of the bid results while the IGDD managed the GAD Accomplishment Report, and the HRMO focused on the Manpower Complement of the City Government.
“Posting financial documents to promote transparency is not something new for the above-mentioned offices since it is already part of the City Government’s mandate,” said the CDPO coordinator, who ensured the timely posting of needed financial documents by the responsible offices.
TRANSPARENT
Cortez urged Dabawenyos to check out the posted SGFH documents when they pass by the Local Governance Information Boards located at City Hall near the City Treasurer’s Office, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal.
Doing such, according to him, will inform Dabawenyos how the City Government of Davao manages its finances and where their taxes go.
View these documents at the FDP Portal of the DILG at https://www.fdpp.dilg.gov.ph/. Just type Davao City in the search box for the LGU to view these documents.
Cortez added that they are eyeing more areas where the SGFH-required documents can be posted. CIO
