‘Team Climaco’ cheered in unity walk

HUNDREDS OF Mayor Beng Climaco’s supporters turned up in downtown Zamboanga during the unity walk for peace and interfaith rally by the local police force among political candidates running for the May polls.

The downtown streets were flooded by people wearing pink shirts and chanted “Team Climaco,” many waving pink flags and banners bearing the photos of Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in District 1; and other candidates.

Photos from Mayor Beng Climaco's Facebook page show the Unity Walk participated by Team Climaco and Partido Paz.

The unity walk started in front of the main police headquarters at the back of the City Hall and ended at the Zamboanga Central School where an interfaith program was held. 

The event, also participated by security forces and multisectoral groups, ended with political candidates signing a peace covenant. “We thank everyone for the warm support as our Team continue to pledge for honesty and commit for the peaceful conduct of our campaign for the upcoming elections which we have done consistently for years,” said Climaco. 

“Thank you Mayor Beng Climaco for serving the City of Zamboanga with love, dedication and concern for the lives of the poor. May God Bless you more in all your endeavors. Muchisimas gracias, we love you,” wrote Nida Rose Natividad Alo on Climaco’s Facebook page where videos and photos of the unity walk were posted. 

Perlita Flores Tingson, a top fan of Climaco’s social media page, also praised the mayor and said: “Thank you so much Mayor.” 

Climaco remains very popular among local residents because of her sincerity, hard work and honest and transparent governance. 

Even the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) included Zamboanga City to the list of passers to the “2021 Good Financial Housekeeping” in Western Mindanao region and for exhibiting exemplary performance in financial administration.  

Just this year, the DILG congratulated Climaco and the City Government and other local governments as well for passing the progressive assessment system that gives distinction to remarkable local government performance across several areas. 

“Congratulations to the 2021 Good Financial Housekeeping Passers in Region IX. We commend the LGUs for their invaluable commitment to pursue an honest, transparent, accountable and orderly management of public funds,” the DILG said in a statement.

It said the Zamboanga City government exhibited exemplary performance in financial administration which covers the following criteria: Most recent available COA Audit Opinion is Unqualified or Qualified for CYs 2019 or 2020; and compliance with Full Disclosure Policy-posting of all 14 documents in three conspicuous places and in the FDP portal for all quarters of CY 2020 and first quarter of CY 2021.

“We thank the DILG for this and all of this is made possible with the commitment of honesty and transparency in governance. We thanked our department heads, the people working tirelessly at City Hall and everyone who contributed in one or the other in making this a reality. My commitment remains for the Zamboangueño people even beyond City Hall,” Climaco said.

The following local governments in the region also passed the 2021 Good Financial Housekeeping: Dapitan City, Pagadian City, Isabela City and Dipolog City; the municipalities of La Libertad 10 Baliguian, Labason, Godod, Piñan, Kalawit, Manuel Roxas, Sibuco, Sindangan, Sirawai, Tampilisan and Jose Dalman.

The DILG said the award is an integral component of the Seal of Good Local Governance which puts primacy to integrity and good performance as pillars of meaningful local autonomy and development. 

As part of the whole-of-government commitment in bringing about meaningful and lasting reforms, the Seal of Good Local Governance has been instrumental in increasing transparency and accountability, promoting proactive actions to prepare for challenges posed by disasters and influencing local governments’ behavior that is supportive of both national and international developmental goals, among others.

With the enactment of Republic Act No. 11292, the Seal of Good Local Governance is now an institutionalized award, incentive, honor and recognition-based program that encourages local governments’ commitment to continuously progress and improve their performance along various governance areas.

The Seal of Good Local Governance Act features four components: Expansion of assessment criteria from seven to ten; creation of the Council of Good Local Governance; provision of the Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund; and development of more responsive capacity building intervention packages, which are likewise gradually integrated in this year’s implementation cycle. (Zamboanga Post)