03/02/2020
PUGO, LA UNION - On its fourth and last cycle of implementing the KALAHI-CIDSS National Community-Driven Development Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Municipality of Pugo, La Union was recognized amongst the top performing Municipal Governments in the country in the promotion of integrity and good performance in public service.
The Municipality of Pugo was recently awarded with the Seal of Good Local Governance by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and this success was proudly highlighted in the State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) delivered by Mayor Priscilla M. Martin during the Municipal Talakayan conducted on December 16, 2019 at the Upland Training Center, Poblacion East.
Initiated by the DSWD Field Office I and in partnership with the Municipal Government of Pugo, the Municipal Talakayan was carried-out in the aim to measure and present to the community the status of and plans for local development of the municipality. Municipal and Barangay officials, community members, and other stakeholders were invited to participate in this event.
More than just informing the communities about the current development status of the municipality and on the accomplishments and planned development programs and projects, the activity also served as a venue for a democratic dialogue between the community members and the Municipal Government to resolve issues, and discuss development concerns of the specific barangays and of the whole municipality. Through focus group discussions, the communities’ recommendations to uphold transparent governance and inclusive development were raised, and were responded to accordingly.
The agreements reached from the dialogues and the proceedings of the Municipal Talakayan are expected to support better planning, implementation, and reporting of the Municipal Government; and improve in general the status of the municipality in terms socio-economic, local governance, and people empowerment in the coming years.