“Makikita po doon ang transparency sa lokal na pamamahala.”
That was how the city government of San Pedro, Laguna under Mayor Art Mercado viewed the two recent awards and recognition given to the city by national government agencies – two testaments to its drive for clean, honest governance.
Not only was the city included among local government units (LGUs) in Laguna province recognized under the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the San Pedro City LGU also received an “unmodified” opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA).
"Ang pinakamataas na audit opinion na ito ay patunay ng ating patuloy na pagsusulong ng transparency, accountability, at wastong pamamahala ng pondo ng bayan," Mercado himself said in a social media post.
Follow the rules
In an interview with OpinYon Laguna, City Accounting Office head Napoleon Islan underscored that these accolades are not mere trophies but also proof that the city government is doing its job in upholding transparency, accountability and good governance.
“Actually, hindi naman po mahirap para sa ating lungsod ang nasabing recognition,” Islan said as he emphasized how the city government has continuously received an “unmodified” opinion from the COA since 2023.
“Kung susundin mo lang yung mga existing laws, rules, and regulations, ayun dinm lang naman po yung kailangan. Kailangan sundin mo siya and then religiously ipakita mo yung mga paggastos,” he explained.
“Ang gamit namin dito ay yung ‘whole of city approach,’ kung saan lahat kami nagtutulong-tulong. Una-una, paano namin ipapakita sa tao yung aming paggastos. Pangalawa, kailangan may resulta. So bawat paggastos dapat nararamdaman din ng tao yung resulta ng aming paggastos.”
Results
These accolades, too, have also served both as financial and moral incentive for the local government to perform better, Islan added.
“So, unang-una, yung ating city, nakikilala na may transparency talaga yung paggastos. Pangalawa, magkakaroon tayo ng access sa national fund,” he told OpinYon Laguna.
According to the city accounting officer, these accolades from the DILG and the COA meant that the city can get ready access to certain funds, such as the DILG’s performance challenge fund that it awards to LGUs which have performed well.
“Alam po nila na marunong tayong gumastos,” he emphasized.
Ready access to these funds, in turn, have enabled the San Pedro City LGU to push through various projects and programs that will ensure better quality of life for every San Pedrense.
As the city government under Mayor Mercado has centered on improving social services since he started his term in 2022, the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping award and the “unmodified” opinion from COA meant that they could expand certain programs such as scholarships, medical assistance and others.
“Kaya kung makikita nyo, mas maraming ngayong magsasabi na ramdam nila. Kasi direct po ang mga serbisyong ito. Kung halimbawa sa ospital, diretso nararamdaman nila yung tulong. Libreng gamot, libreng mga diagnostic services. Sa school naman, mararamdaman ng mga magulang sa education sector na yung ginagastos ni Mayor para sa edukasyon ay nararamdaman talaga ng bawat isang mag-aaral at magulang at maging ng mga guro.”
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