by: Djan Chris M. Bunao

What do the letters L-G-O-O mean to an amateur such as myself?

Oftentimes, I find myself at a loss for words. I am almost five months in my work, and a lot has definitely happened since stepping foot in a different province—under a different agency with a different designation.

My previous line of work had me in the field of finance. Most of it involved ensuring liquidation reports were in order and that their attachments were complete, and I’ve had my fair share of challenges there, just as much as anyone whose job is related to money. But, of course, now it’s a different story. A whole new world—pun intended.

But I was not a complete stranger to the idea of an oversight agency. I came across this term a few semesters ago in my academic journey, along with a brief overview of the Seal of Good Local Governance. It was in a public governance class, one that greatly affected my outlook on LGUs and government service. Even with these in mind, I didn’t know what to expect when I became a part of the agency, especially when I was given an opportunity to join the assessment teams during the SGLG on-site validations.

Would I describe these experiences as overwhelming? Is my assessment justified? Perhaps, or perhaps not.

I was fortunate to have observed the assessments of the LGUs. And I must say, it’s quite the activity—for both the agency and the LGUs. It’s a showcase of DILG as not just an oversight agency, evaluating LGUs’ functions as mandated by law, but also as a partner in realizing the ideal.

DILG personnel travel across the province to the different LGUs, partaking in meaningful conversations. This level of engagement with different agencies, offices, and people was what struck me the most as a new employee. I didn’t think that such an agency would be this engaging. In DILG, office work and field work go hand in hand. The number of meetings, assessments, and monitoring activities involved continues to increase. And yet, the office grows stronger. A workplace with amazing people works wonders, and it changes your perspective on things.

I’ve come to understand that challenges are a given in any line of work, more so when a myriad of reports and requirements are involved. Nevertheless, the experience is valuable. The intrinsic value is what makes it all worthwhile. For example, walking for almost one and a half hours to reach a remote barangay with the participation of the Serbisyo Caravan is a different kind of accomplishment. It’s fulfilling, to say the least, especially when you can see the gratitude in people’s faces. Such a sight is a reward itself.

Having said this, let’s go back to my initial question. What do the letters L-G-O-O mean? Well, for an amateur such as myself, this four-letter word means:

Learning is perpetual. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new. Being open-minded helps, as this opens up different avenues for discussion. This is especially true when there are a multitude of programs and activities.

Gratitude goes a long way. It’s easy to lose ourselves in the moment when we’re engrossed in reports and activities, so busy that we forget to be thankful—to be thankful for the opportunities we get. When frustrations and disappointments occur, taking account of what we have helps. Things could be better, but then again, they could also be worse.

Opportunities are everywhere. New experiences offer different opportunities for learning and understanding. Traveling to different places, visiting various project sites, and having conversations with different people help broaden our perspective on things. These ultimately lead to a better grasp of the bigger picture, providing reassurance that the work we do matters.

And lastly, all these are but an overture. I know for a fact that the experiences I’ve had so far barely scratch the surface of what it means to be an LGOO. With how uncertain things can quickly become, it’s hard to imagine what to expect. The only thing that’s certain is that there’s still a lot for me to learn on this journey.

The agency does indeed engender the ideal society. The monitoring and evaluation of the government’s myriad of programs, projects, and activities ensure that everyone stays on course toward a common goal: a comfortable and secure life for the people.

Acknowledging that the road ahead will always be accompanied by different issues and challenges along the way. All of which must be overcome. Meaningful pursuits aren’t easy, after all. But they are fulfilling.