SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez today assured local officials that the House of Representatives, carrying out a directive from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., is supporting local government units (LGUs) with a bigger share of the annual budget.
“Ang utos ng ating Pangulo: gawin lahat ang nararapat at kailangan para makinabang ang inyong mga komunidad sa pag-unlad ng buong bansa,” Speaker Romualdez told local officials attending this year’s general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), headed by Mayor Joseph Bernos of La Paz, Abra, at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.
The conference focuses on the theme, “Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs’) Localization: Pathway to Sustainable Municipal Development.” SDG is a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations member countries which provide a roadmap on how to transform our planet where everyone can live in peace, prosperity, and dignity.
Speaker Romualdez said the House is allocating more funds to LGUs in acknowledgment of the Supreme Court’s Mandanas ruling, which augments the share of local governments from national taxes.
“This ruling signifies a transformative shift, aimed at enhancing the fiscal autonomy of LGUs, thereby empowering you to better address local developmental needs. The 2024 budget reflects this change, ensuring a larger portion of the national tax allotment (NTA) is directed to local governments,” he said.
He said the increased funding enables each LGU to allot more funds for local development projects that are crucial for advancing the SDGs.
“However, it must be recognized, per instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the Speaker, that the windfall from the Mandanas ruling, though substantial, is not sufficient to fully meet the developmental needs of local government units,” he added.
The House leader pointed out that the Executive Department, in conjunction with Congress, “is committed to working collaboratively to identify and harness additional resources necessary for LGUs to effectively realize their development goals.”
He revealed that the House is also deliberating on several bills aimed at further increasing the NTA share of local governments.
“This initiative seeks to deepen local government engagement in national development, ensuring the growth and progress we envision are experienced at the community level,” Speaker Romualdez stressed.
“Ramdam po ng national government ang pangangailangan ninyo. Alam namin na kailangan ninyo ang lahat ng tulong mula sa national government para mai-angat ang kabuhayan ng ating mamamayan,” he said.
He likewise emphasized the national government’s commitment to work with LGUs “so we can effectively integrate local health systems in the implementation of Universal Health Care.”
“By integrating local health systems into comprehensive province-wide and city-wide systems, we strengthen the foundation of our healthcare infrastructure. This integration is crucial for enhancing the resilience and capabilities of health services, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” he said.
He said the commitment to help LGUs “extends to the development and implementation of local investment plans for health, which are essential in ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of where they live, has access to quality healthcare.”
“This approach aims to enhance primary care services and improve local health system management tools, leading to better health outcomes and more sustainable healthcare delivery at the local level,” he said.
“Alam ko pong nangangamba kayo sa epekto ng Mandanas ruling sa isyu ng devolution of health services. Ang takot ninyo: binigyan nga kayo ng dagdag na pondo, pero kaakibat nito ang mas malaki ring responsibilidad. Baka sa dulo, lugi pa kayo kahit may dagdag na pondo,” the Speaker stressed.
