DILG awards P1.8M incentive fund to Santa Marcela LGU

Santa Marcela, Apayao - Santa Marcela LGU was awarded a P1.8M incentive fund from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in recognition of its Seal of Good Governance.

This grant, received on Monday, Jan. 15, will bolster the municipality's local development initiatives.

In December 2023, Santa Marcela was one of the 493 LGUs nationwide that successfully met all criteria for good governance.

These criteria encompass financial administration and sustainability, disaster preparedness, social protection and sensitivity, health compliance and responsiveness, sustainable education, business-friendliness and competitiveness, safety, peace and order, environmental management, tourism, heritage development, culture and arts, and youth development.

This incentive program acknowledges and encourages local governments' commitment to ongoing progress and improvement across various governance areas, particularly in providing efficient, equitable, and high-quality public services.

Mayor Evelyn Martinez shared that the awarded fund will be allocated to constructing a Youth Center in the municipality.

This center aims to provide young people with access to a range of services and programs, including social, cultural, and recreational activities. Given the concerning number of unenrolled youths, as per the 2022 CBMS data, the facility seeks to revitalize the interest of the 40.47% of young people who lacked enthusiasm for school.

Mayor Martinez emphasized that the accolades for 2023 reflect the combined efforts and commitment of LGU officials to excellent public service.

She pledged to bring more developments to the town in 2024 and urged LGU employees to actively contribute to the realization of their specified plans.

Additionally, DILG-CAR in Baguio City awarded the same incentive to LGUs Luna, Pudtol, and Conner in Apayao.