The Senate Committee on Local Government has approved a bill seeking to expand the scope of power of the local government units (LGU) over the public transportation systems and infrastructure projects in their respective areas.

The panel chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino has approved Senate Bills (sb) 1065 and 1012 also known as the Local Build, Build, Build Program Act and the LGU Transportation act, respectively.

SB 1012, which was authored by Tolentino, aims to amend Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code by expanding the scope of LGU’s powers over their respective mass transport system.

Tolentino said in his bill that this is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The bill will insert a provision for highly urbanized cities which states that they can endeavor to be self-reliant in establishing safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable mass transportation systems such as modern railways, subways, cable cars, trams, bus rapid transits and other means of transport.

This can be done through loans, grants, capital investments, partnerships, and joint ventures with both private and public institutions.

“In light of the present traffic situation of the country, it is crucial to review the functions and capabilities of LGU in addressing road congestion and creating balance transport systems,” Tolentino said in his explanatory note.

“Notably, LGU not only possess a mastery of their own mobility demands but also institutional memory of local policies addressing local transport problems as well as local transport needs within their jurisdictions,” he added.

SB 1065, which was authored by Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, seeks to accelerate public sector investments in local infrastructure through the Local Build, Build, Build Program.

The said program is established as a national strategy to provide public infrastructure investment for LGU.

In the bill, infrastructure projects that can be funded under the Local Build, Build, Build might include construction, completion, upgrading and repair, rehabilitation or improvement of buildings, bridges, flood control systems, transport infrastructure to cite a few.

“Despite the mandates imposed on local governments, the infrastructure system at the local level remains inadequate, if not absent. This, in turn, impairs the ability of local governments to effectively implement programs and projects within their respective jurisdictions,” Recto said in his explanatory note.

The Senate leader added that the bill also seeks for the release of the share of each province, city municipality, and barangay from the local program to their respective treasurer without the need of any further action and shall not be subject to any lien or holdback that may be imposed by the national government.

“It also facilitates the convergence of local government interventions and the cooperation among LGU to ensure the enhancement of operational efficiency, effective utilization of public resources, realization of project outcomes, and strengthening of mechanisms for inter­-local cooperation,” he said.

During the hearing, Makati City, represented by Atty. Michael Camiña, presented the subway project which shows interconnection with other mass transportation systems of the national government.