Samal Island bags prestigious awards

DAVAO CITY – The Island Garden City of Samal, under the leadership of Mayor Al David T. Uy, achieved remarkable recognition by clinching the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award for the third consecutive year, earning its spot in the Hall of Fame.

Mayor Uy and City Local Government Operations Officer Jacqueline Estrada accepted the award during the ceremony hosted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

On December 9, the city also received the Gawad KALASAG Seal of Excellence: Beyond Compliant from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), scoring 2.61 in the evaluation.

The award acknowledges Samal’s exceptional disaster preparedness and resilience. It was received by City Public Order and Safety Officer Atty. Alan Cabiten, Assistant Department Head Atty. Neil Dante Baban, and Ms. Nestle Panggoy.

Samal’s consistent compliance with Republic Act 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, underscores its proactive measures to enhance community resilience and disaster risk mitigation strategies.

Earlier this year, on September 3, Samal underwent rigorous national validation for the SGLG, which assessed 10 key governance areas, including disaster preparedness, financial administration, social protection, environmental management, and tourism.

The city was also recognized as one of only four SGLG passers in the Davao Region, with the award received by Vice Mayor Lemuel T. Reyes and other officials on December 6 at the Sotogrande Davao Hotel.

These achievements highlight Samal’s commitment to good governance, disaster resilience, and sustainable development, solidifying its status as a progressive and exemplary city under Mayor Uy’s leadership.