Author

Irish Vale B. Pittong*
St. Louis College of Bulanao, Purok 6, Bulanao, Philippines

Abstract

This study evaluated the sustainability of good governance practices among the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardees in Kalinga Province, namely Tabuk City, Rizal, and Pasil. Using a multi-method approach, the research combined quantitative assessment and qualitative inquiry to determine the level of sustainability across ten SGLG dimensions and to explore the experiences of local leaders and implementers in sustaining governance reforms. Quantitative findings revealed that all ten dimensions Financial Administration, Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection, Health Compliance, Sustainable Education, Business-Friendliness, Peace and Order, Environmental Management, Tourism and Culture, and Youth Development were rated highly sustainable, indicating strong institutionalization of good governance principles. Qualitative results supported these findings, revealing four major factors that underpin sustainability: institutionalization of policies and systems, leadership commitment and collective accountability, adaptive resource management, and community participation. The study further identified leadership stability, adequate resources, and policy continuity as key facilitators, while political transitions and resource limitations emerged as common challenges. Overall, the research concludes that the sustainability of good governance among Kalinga’s SGLG awardees is the result of both structural and cultural integration of governance values. The findings emphasize that the SGLG framework serves not only as a mechanism for recognition but also as a catalyst for institutionalizing transparency, accountability, and participatory governance that endures beyond the award period.

Keywords: Seal of Good Local Governance, sustainability, good governance, local government units, Kalinga Province, institutionalization, transparency, accountability, participation.

*Corresponding author/ Email: irishvale143@gmail.com
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0502890

Recommended citation:
Pittong, I. V. B. (2026). Beyond the award: Evaluating the sustainability of good governance practices among SGLG awardees. Pantao (The International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (2), 86-102. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0502890

Read the full text

References

Andrews, M., Pritchett, L., & Woolcock, M. (2020). Building state capability: Evidence, analysis, action. Oxford University Press.

Asian Development Bank. (2020). Assessing the impact of the Seal of Good Local Governance in the Philippines. https://www.adb.org/

Banogon, M. R. (2019). The practice of good governance in the two cities of Negros Oriental, Philippines. Journal of Public Affairs and Development, 6(1). https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/jpad/vol6/iss1/4

Bardach, E. (2020). A practical guide for policy analysis: The eightfold path to more effective problem solving. CQ Press.

Bevir, M. (2022). Governance: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.

Berggruen, N., & Gardels, N. (2023). Intelligent governance for the 21st century: A middle way between West and East. Polity Press.

Brillantes Jr., A. B. (2023). Innovations and excellence: Understanding local governance in the Philippines. National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines Diliman.

Brillantes Jr., A. B., Ilago, S. A., Santiago, E. S., & Esden, B. J. (2023). Decentralization and power shift: An imperative for good governance. National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines Diliman.

Cagas, J. F., & Balacy, G. M. V. (2022). The Seal of Good Local Governance in Digos City: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 6(11), 130–139. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2022.61110

Capuno, J. J. (2019). Local governance reform and performance sustainability in the Philippines. Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Denhardt, R. B., & Denhardt, J. V. (2021). The new public service: Serving, not steering (5th ed.). Routledge.

Department of the Interior and Local Government. (2014, January 15). DILG launches Seal of Good Local Governance. https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-launches-Seal-of-Good-Local-Governance/NC2014-765

Department of the Interior and Local Government. (2019). Seal of Good Local Governance: Assisting LGUs in achieving excellence in local governance. https://dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/reports_resources/dilg-reports-resources-2019010-9b08a1714e.pdf

Department of the Interior and Local Government. (2020). Seal of Good Local Governance primer. https://dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/reports_resources/dilg-reports-resources-2017121-32c89286f1.pdf

Doeveren, V. V. (2011). Rethinking good governance. Public Integrity, 13(4), 301–318. https://doi.org/10.2753/PIN1099-9922130401

Gonzalvo, A. (2021). Awareness and implementation of the Seal of Good Local Governance among local government officials in the province of Marinduque. Global Scientific Journal, 9(7).

Heinrich, C. J. (2007). Evidence-based policy making in the public sector: The role of performance measurement. Public Administration Review, 67(3), 415–426.

Hughes, O. E. (2012). Public management and administration: An introduction (4th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

Kirkpatrick, S. A., & Locke, E. A. (1996). Direct and indirect effects of three core charismatic leadership components on performance and attitudes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 81(1), 36–51. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.81.1.36

Kusek, J. Z., & Rist, R. C. (2004). Ten steps to a results-based monitoring and evaluation system: A handbook for development practitioners. World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/

Legarda, L. (2018, November 6). Keynote speech: Awarding ceremony for the 2018 Seal of Good Local Governance. https://lorenlegarda.com.ph/keynote-speech-awarding-ceremony-for-the-2018-seal-of-good-local-governance/

Medina-Guce, C. (2019). Seal of Good Local Governance: Leveraging on performance evaluation lessons for improved local governance. United Nations Development Programme and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

National Economic and Development Authority. (2011). Philippine Development Plan 2011–2016. https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/philippine-development-plan-2011-2016/

Osborne, S., & Brown, K. (2023). Innovation in public services: Rethinking the capacity to act. Public Management Review, 25(1), 12–32.

Peters, B. G., & Pierre, J. (2004). The role of public administration in governing. Governance, 17(4), 653–658.

Pomeranz, E. F., & Stedman, R. C. (2020). Measuring good governance: Piloting an instrument for evaluating good governance principles. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 22(3), 428–440. https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2020.1728200

Preschle, K., & Tayao, E. (2008). Philippine local governance in perspective: Emerging challenges and options for strategic policy directions. Local Government Development Foundation. https://www.kas.de/en/web/philippinen/veranstaltungen/detail/-/content/philippine-local-governance-in-perspective-emerging-challenge-and-options-for-strategic-policy-directions

Putnam, R. D. (1993). Making democracy work: Civic traditions in modern Italy. Princeton University Press.

Ribot, J. C. (2002). Democratic decentralization of natural resources: Institutionalizing popular participation. World Resources Institute.

Scott, W. R. (2021). Organizations and organizing: Rational, natural, and open systems perspectives (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Tapales, P. D., Padilla, J. E., & Concepcion, R. S. (2021). Leadership, accountability, and reform sustainability in Philippine local governments. Asian Journal of Governance, 8(1), 88–105.

United Nations Development Programme. (2023). Sustainable governance and institutional development: Lessons from Asia. United Nations Development Programme.

World Bank. (1994). Governance: The World Bank’s experience. World Bank. https://documents.worldbank.org/

If you want, I can also turn this into a stricter alphabetized final reference list with hanging-indent style spacing for direct manuscript paste-in.