The validation of the 2019 SGLG for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM-Maguindanao) LGUs officially kicked off last August 13, 2019 with twenty-nine (29) LGUs from the said region to be chosen as national qualifiers for the prestigious contest. The towns of Matanog, Sultan Kudarat, Kabuntalan, Guindulungan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Sultan Sa Barongis, Shariff Aguak, Datu Piang, Upi, South Upi, Datu Paglas, Pagalungan, Barira, Buldon and Paglat, in Maguindanao Province had been tipped to be part of the shortlist.

Part of the National Validators team for Maguindanao Province includes LGOO VII Musarapha A. Alim, LGOO VI Lucia A. Aliponga, LGOO V Mel Roy B. Manait, LGOO IV Relmie T. Tamson, LGOO II Belinda Lee A. Fabie and CSO Representative Arch. Carlito Y. Uy, all of whom are from the DILG Region XII.

DILG Memorandum Circular 2019-44 sets the guidelines for the prescribed process of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) which includes national validation and results-confirmation to facilitate the final selection of CY 2019 awardees. The LGUs to be subjected in this phase were found to have initially passed the minimum criteria as drawn from the results of the national calibration.

During the actual validation, LGOO VII Musarapha A. Alim emphasized that aside from the marker being a symbol of commitment to exemplary performance in the realm of public service, what matters most is the pride and recognition that the award brings to the LGUs. Ms.Alim encouraged everyone “to remain committed to their mandates, to work harder and improve performance for the years to come.”