DILG bares the state of local governance in Eastern Visayas

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
August 13, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – National government agencies and local government units in Eastern Visayas have vowed to improve delivery of basic services among LGUs, following a presentation of the regional State of Local Governance Report (SLGR) by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Regional Director William C. Paler and DILG-08 officials revealed the findings of the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) for 2005 [the LGU self-assessment tool used to generate data for the SLGR] during a Stakeholders Conference at the MacArthur Park Resort in Palo, Leyte on August 4, 2006.

In response, participants then proposed programs and activities to address the identified problems in a workshop that followed the presentations of the regional SLGR, and the municipal SLGR of Malitbog, Southern Leyte by Mayor Norma Go.

Of the five (5) performance areas covered by the LGPMS report, the region scored highest in Administration with a result of 3.9 (out of a highest possible score of 5) in the Input or Performance level. This means that most of the region’s 139 towns and four (4) cities have the capacity or resources to deliver administrative services effectively.

On the other hand, Economic Development registered the lowest, with a “risk rating” of 1.57. This implies that many LGUs still need to improve their services to farmers and fisherfolks, and should develop the entrepreneurial, business and industrial sectors.

Environmental Management scored 2.07 and Social Services rated just above the national benchmark, at 3.02. This indicates that LGUs can still improve on their performance in these areas.

Governance scored 2.91, showing that some basic services were not delivered due to poor community participation and a lack of relevant ordinances and transparency. 

Dir. Paler challenged local governments to address the identified problem areas or service gaps in planning and budgeting, and to sustain the gains made by the program.