Further gov’t devolution pushed
‘Should the LGUs lack the funds to implement the functions and services, the national government should have a program to assist them’
(Photo: Yummie Dingding)
Daily Tribune‘Should the LGUs lack the funds to implement the functions and services, the national government should have a program to assist them’
(Photo: Yummie Dingding)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed national government agencies to study how the country could operationalize the devolution program, and to develop a list of duties that could be transferred to local government units.
The Presidential Communications Office said on Monday that the financing and implementation schedule of the program will be decided upon when the priority core functions and services to be devolved are established.
Marcos emphasized the importance of first defining and prioritizing the essential services and functions that LGUs should provide.
"Should the LGUs lack the funds to implement the functions and services, the national government should have a program to assist them," said Marcos in a 21 December 21 meeting, according to the PCO.
The President gave the National Economic and Development Authority instructions to propose improvements for a phased-in devolution, including a schedule depending on the capabilities of the LGUs. He gave NEDA until 24 February 2024 to turn in its study.
He also gave the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines the task of compiling a list of the fundamental duties and services that LGUs and the national government should be providing.
January 2024 was the deadline set for the DILG to comply.