By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The government is considering a bigger Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) next year if this year’s allocation delivers the intended results, Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said during a visit to Cebu.
Recto said the government would assess the effectiveness of the P57.87-billion LGSF before deciding whether to increase funding in 2027.
The fund supports a range of local projects, including roads, water systems, health facilities and multipurpose buildings, while also helping finance social assistance programs nationwide.
Recto said around 210,000 students in more than 42,000 barangays nationwide have benefited from the Presidential Scholars Program.
The government also plans to sustain the distribution of 10 kilograms of rice every two months to nearly 8 million Filipino families across the country.
The rice assistance forms part of the administration’s broader effort to provide direct support to vulnerable households while local governments receive funding for basic infrastructure and community services.
Other government-backed assistance includes free basic education, tuition support in state universities and colleges, and scholarships covering medicine, science and graduate studies.
Recto said the government could expand the LGSF allocation next year if the current program demonstrates that the funds are being effectively used and produce tangible benefits for communities.
Meanwhile, local governments are also expected to receive a larger share of national revenues through the National Tax Allotment (NTA).
The NTA for LGUs is projected to reach P1.4 trillion in 2027, representing an estimated 11% increase from this year’s allocation.
The projected increase would give provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays additional fiscal resources to sustain essential services and pursue local development projects.
For the national government, the challenge will be ensuring that larger allocations translate into visible improvements in communities and better services for ordinary Filipinos.
ia/xf
