By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday warned that the national government will continue to scrutinize how local government units (LGUs) spend billions of pesos in national assistance, stressing that the government’s responsibility does not end once funds are released.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the proposed Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) allocation for 2027 is P58.53 billion, up 1.14 percent from the P57.87 billion appropriated for 2026.
The additional funding is intended to give LGUs more resources for infrastructure and social development programs, including farm-to-market roads, water systems, health facilities, bridges, disaster-resilient communities and assistance for marginalized sectors.
The LGSF also supports the distribution of free rice to constituents in various localities, Castro said.
But she emphasized that the release of funds is only the beginning of the national government’s responsibility.
“Kahit ito ay ibinigay po na pondo, hindi po natatapos ang obligasyon ng national government pagkabigay ng pondo. Ito po ay kailangang ma-monitor din po,” Castro said.
She explained that despite the devolution of government functions to LGUs, national agencies would continue monitoring projects and programs financed through the LGSF to ensure that public funds are properly utilized.
The Department of Public Works and Highways, for instance, will oversee infrastructure projects, while agencies including the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will monitor scholarship programs.
The Palace position comes as the government accelerates the transfer of functions and resources to local governments.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said Tuesday that the National Tax Allotment (NTA) is projected to reach a record P1.4 trillion nationwide, representing an 11-percent increase from current levels.
Luzon LGUs are expected to receive P676.9 billion from the projected NTA.
Recto urged local governments to exercise greater responsibility in managing both NTA and LGSF allocations, particularly in areas involving climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and solid waste management.
The increased funding comes with greater pressure on LGUs to demonstrate that additional resources are producing concrete results for communities.
Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would continue to listen to the concerns and recommendations of local officials, including feedback on how the LGSF is implemented.
She said Marcos recognizes the need to give LGUs greater financial capacity so they can respond more effectively to the needs of their constituents.
At the same time, the Palace made clear that greater resources and greater devolution would not mean less accountability, as national agencies remain committed to monitoring how government assistance is ultimately used.
ia/xf
