Marcos: Fast-track devolution to LGUs

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 can be transferred to local government units.

According to the Presidential Communications Office on Monday, 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 also 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," Marcos said in a 21 December meeting, per PCO.

Additionally, he gave NEDA instructions to suggest improvements for a phased-in devolution, including a schedule depending on the capability of the LGUs.

Marcos gave NEDA until 24 February 2024 to finish and turn in its study to the Office of the President.

In accordance with their Devolution Transition Plans, 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 local government units and the federal government should be providing.

January 2024 was the deadline set for the DILG to comply.