OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE. Bohol Gov. Edgar M. Chatto with the Finance Team receive the P3M cash from DILG Provincial Director Ma. Loisella Lucino. The cash award is part of the prize package for Bohol for winning the Regional Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award, which automatically qualifies the province to vie for its national award category, a great feat fit for the people of Bohol.

Boholanos have everything to be thankful for.

After accorded regional and national distinctions for exemplary performance and good governance from several national agencies, a strong feeling of jubilance is in the air for Bohol is now being considered the strongest contender for the National Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

After besting other Central Visayan provinces for the prestigious regional award in which the province has already received a plaque, three checks totaling P3M were turned-over to Bohol Gov. Edgar M. Chatto by DILG Provincial Director Ma. Loisella E. Lucino Friday.

Reiterating what Sec. Jesse Robredo said when he came over to Bohol for the 115th birth anniversary of Boholano and Former President Carlos Polestico Garcia last November 4, “the governance in the province under the Chatto-Lim Administration is mahusay at matino,” many believe that it is quite imminent that the most-coveted National Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award would be given to Bohol.

Chatto however stressed that“ we do not work for awards, awards are just the consequences of one’s good works and strong commitment to serve; what is more important is our unselfish service to the people,” “Let us keep up the good work and show the world what we Boholanos are made of.”

“P5 million is at stake as the national prize each for municipality, city and provincial categories,” said PD Lucino.

Gov. Chatto received the award from President Benigno S. Aquino Jr. himself during the awarding rites last October.

According to the DILG memorandum on Gawad Pamana, local governments would be rated on the following: Innovations (5%), awards and citations (5%), Local Government Performance Management System (LGPMS) Over-all Performance Index (OPI) or LGPMS-OPI 80% and Seal of Good Housekeeping (10%).

Being a regional level awardee, Bohol would automatically qualify for the national evaluations, said Ma. Reina Quilas, focal person for the DILG Gawad Pamana.

Bohol’s latest credit for winning the 2011 Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) would be considered a great merit, reinforcing the province’s earlier recognition as the country’s Best-Governed Province with the highest Local Government Performance Management System score of 4.935, with 5 as the highest point.

Winning the SGH award automatically opens doors for the outpouring of programs and projects from the national government in line with Pres. P-Noy’s social contract with the Filipinos and in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In fact, Bohol’s unsurpassed performance in governance entitles the Provincial Government to a Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) project cost-sharing scheme with the national government worth P7M.

Projects eligible under the PCF are school buildings, rural health units, health centers and birthing facilities; roads, bridges, tourism facilities, irrigation systems, pos- harvest facilities, cold storage facilities, ports and wharves and other economic infrastructures for Local Economic Development; and, flood control, reforestation, solid waste management facilities, storm drainage and related flood protection measures for Adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness projects.

Bohol’s 14 innovations in governance would definitely be a great plus, Quilas added.