Escudero seeks stronger LGU role in 2026 budget

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Sunday urged Congress to grant local government units (LGUs) a stronger role in the 2026 national budget process, particularly in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects.

In a statement, Escudero called on the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Appropriations Committee to demonstrate their commitment to budget reform by requiring local endorsements before projects are included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“Ang mga senador at kongresista ay nariyan lamang para makinig at bigyan daan ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga taongbayan (Senators and congressmen should listen and facilitate the needs of our communities. The LGUs are the ones who know what their areas truly need),” Escudero said.

The senator stressed that Regional Development Councils (RDCs) should provide prior endorsements for all government infrastructure projects. He outlined this measure in Senate Bill No. 1459, or the Grassroots Infrastructure Planning and Budgeting Act, which seeks to strengthen the RDCs’ role in the budget process.

In a letter to Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian, Escudero said his proposed measure would make RDC endorsement a prerequisite for the inclusion of any infrastructure project in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) or in the GAA.

“It is unlikely that Congress will have time to pass the bill, but we can already include a provision in the 2026 GAA to implement the same and start the process of cleaning up the budget of unnecessary or worse, non-existing or ghost projects,” he said.

Under his proposal, national agencies—including the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Health, Public Works and Highways, Transportation, Defense, and the Interior and Local Government—would need RDC approval before proceeding with infrastructure projects. Fund releases and procurement activities would depend on this requirement.

Escudero also cited past controversies over flood control and other projects, which, he said, highlighted the risks of excluding LGUs from planning. Many local officials had complained they were not consulted before projects were included in the NEP or implemented on the ground.

“This is the spirit of Bottom-up Budgeting that has been espoused for years to make the budget process more efficient, effective, and meaningful for the people,” Escudero said.