Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11292)
The short title of Republic Act No. 11292 is "The Seal of Good Local Governance Act of 2019."
The policy is to recognize the good performance of local government units (LGUs) in transparency, accountability, disaster preparedness, sensitivity to vulnerable sectors, health program implementation, investment promotion, protection from threats, and environmental integrity, encouraging them to pursue the general welfare of their constituency.
The SGLG is an award, incentive, honor, and recognition-based program for LGUs that promotes continual progress in good governance areas such as transparency, disaster preparedness, social protection, health, education, business friendliness, peace and order, environmental management, tourism, and youth development.
The Council is composed of representatives from the DILG (which chairs the Council), DBM, DOF, DOH, DSWD, DepEd, DOT, DENR, NEDA, Office of Civil Defense, and one representative from basic sectors nominated by the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
The Council develops and promulgates performance indicators for LGUs, reviews and revises these indicators, evaluates the law's impact, creates technical working groups, submits annual reports to Congress and the President, and performs other necessary functions for the Act's implementation.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is the implementing agency responsible for assessing LGUs' compliance with the criteria and recommending awardees to the Council.
Key criteria include good fiscal administration, disaster preparedness, social protection and sensitivity, health responsiveness, sustainable education programs, business friendliness, peace and order, environmental management, tourism and cultural heritage, and youth development.
It involves an LGU demonstrating positive economic performance, fiscal discipline, accountability, and transparency by adhering to budgetary rules, auditing standards, and full disclosure policies including COA opinions and posting of financial documents.
Incentives cannot be used for micro credits and loans, travel expenses (except for Act purposes), administrative expenses, vehicle purchases not directly related to the SGLG, employee salaries or wages, construction or refurbishment of administrative offices, or loan guarantees.
The Act affirms that LGUs' autonomy is respected and that it does not limit their power to formulate policies and programs for their constituents' welfare beyond just qualifying for the SGLG.
The SGLG Fund is managed and administered by the DILG under the supervision of the Council, with appropriations included in the DILG's annual budget in the General Appropriations Act.
The separability clause provides that if any provision is held unconstitutional or invalid, the rest of the Act remains in full force and effect.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation, whichever came first.