Disability-relevant indicators have been included in this year’s program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) dubbed as Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) or Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaan Lokal.

The indicators aim to measure sensitivity of the local government units to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized sectors of the society, which include persons with disability.
Among others, these indicators include: (1) Establishment of Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), committee or designation of a focal person or any similar structure; (2) Designation of express lanes for persons with disabilities; (3) Compliance with Accessibility Law; and (4) Availability of rehabilitation health facilities for persons with disabilities.

After its active lobbying for the inclusion of these indicators, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Acting Executive Director has expressed appreciation of this development, recognizing the crucial role of each province, city and municipality in the country to promote an inclusive-society for every constituent with disability.

Director Zubiaga added that this move of the DILG is aligned with the Country’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) as well as the Incheon Goals to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities.

According to a DILG Media Bulletin, the SGLG program is an offshoot of the successful results of the Seal of Good Housekeeping Program (SGH), where LGUs were challenged on their compliance to the DILG’s Full Disclosure Policy, particularly in the areas of budget, revenues and procurement, among others and meeting the requirements of anti-red tape act.

In the same Media Bulletin, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas said that “the introduction of the SGLG aims for a condition where LGUS do not only sustain the practice of accountability and transparency (Good Financial Housekeeping), but are also able to prepare for the challenges posed by disasters (Disaster Preparedness), and are sensitive to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized sectors of the society (Social Protection).”

Secretary Roxas added that “the SGLG also drives LGUs to encourage investment and employment (Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness); protect the constituents from threats to life and security (Peace and Order); and safeguard the integrity of the environment (Environmental Management).”
To be a recipient of the said Seal, an LGU needs to pass all the three core assessment areas – Good Financial Housekeeping, Social Protection and Disaster Preparedness, and at least one from the essential assessment areas – Business Friendliness and Competitiveness, Peace and Order or Environmental Management.

Aside from the Seal, LGUs which are meeting the minimum criteria will also be entitled to a package of incentives, such as the Performance Challenge Fund and access to other national performance-based programs. On the other hand, those LGUs which will not make it, the DILG will provide capacity development initiatives for them to help them earn the Seal.

Starting this year, the SGLG program will be an annual undertaking and will cover all provinces, cities and municipalities. The DILG with its partner organizations will select qualified LGUs starting on the third quarter, while the awarding will take place in October of each year.

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