In a statement, Mayor Ernesto Evangelista said the recognition they have received from the DILG only proves that the Santo Tomas LGU is transparent in all its financial transactions.
The DILG Manila Office through the Municipal Local Government Operation Officer (MLGOO) Rose Ann Macabontoc, confirmed this Wednesday (Dec. 29) through an official communication received by the Municipal mayor's Office.
The certification was signed by Vivian P. Nuansing, OIC/ Director III of Bureau of Local Government Section of DILG.
"Kita nagpamatuod lang na maayo ang atong pagdumala sa atong pundo kay kita naningkamot na ang pundo sa katawhan mahatag pinaagi sa mga nagkalahi-lahing serbisyo para sa tanang Tomasino,” Mayor Ernesto Evangelista said.
Evangelista said that since Day 1 of his administration, he had already told the employees and the Department Heads that he wouldn’t tolerate dismal, snail-paced performance under his administration.
“Dako akong pasalamat sa tanang empleyado sa LGU kay atong gipakita na kitang tanan seryoso sa atong trabaho ug paghatag og saktong serbisyo sa katawhan pinaagi sa pagsunod sa tamang proseso sa atong national government,” he said.
Evangelista further explained that the Santo Tomas LGU under his watch had efficiently and effectively the public funds for the residents, including health care and other social services.
For her part, Municipal Administrator lawyer Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña said the good financial housekeeping recognition from DILG was attributed to the Evangelista administration’s campaign on “good governance.”
Evangelista-Lapiña said the recognition only proves that the present administration follows the rule of “transparency and accountability” in using public funds through delivering basic services that are responsive to people's needs.
With the Good Financial Housekeeping recognition, this means that the Santo Tomas LGU exhibits compliance with accounting and auditing standards, rules and regulations, i.e., with an Unqualified or Qualified COA Opinion of the immediately preceding year; as well as Compliance with the Full Disclosure Policy of Local Budget and Finances, Bids and Public Offerings e.g., Annual Budget, Statement of Receipts and Expenditures, Annual Procurement Plan or Procurement List, and Bid Results On Civil Works. Goods and Services and Consulting Services, among others.
The Good Financial Housekeeping Award is among the requirements a local government unit must achieve to acquire the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).
The DILG defines SGLG as “an award, incentive, honour and recognition-based program for all LGUs, and is a continuing commitment for LGUs to progress and improve their performance continually.”