Gov’t ‘seriously’ studying issues of full devolution

Marcos acknowledged that adhering to the Mandanas ruling is the “biggest” issue the LGUs are currently facing, as he is not discounting the possibility that many of them may incur losses. (PCO File Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said his administration is “very serious” in weighing the consequences of full devolution of certain functions of the executive branch to the local government units (LGUs).

This, as he admitted that Executive Order (EO) 138 inked by his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, may be disadvantageous to some LGUs, considering the constraints on budget, manpower and expertise.

“Gagamitin ngayon namin itong one year na ito para pag-aralan nang mabuti ‘yung [EO] 138. Tingnan natin na siguro may mga function kasi na binibigay sa local, hindi naman dapat sa local talaga (We will use this one year to thoroughly study EO 138. Let’s see if there are functions transferred to local governments which should not have been passed on to them),” Marcos said during the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Manila Hotel.

“And so, that’s what we are examining. Asahan ninyo (You can expect), as I said, that we are taking very seriously the issues that have come out from the Mandanas ruling and how we will implement it because hopefully by next year, by (2024), mag-i-improve na ang ating koleksiyon kasi sa 2021, medyo maganda-ganda, medyo umaahon na ‘yung ekonomiya, baka mayroon naman talaga tayong makuha (our collection will improve because in 2021, there was an improvement and our economy is recovering. Perhaps, we can get from it),” he added.

EO 138, signed by Duterte in June 2021, directs the full devolution of certain functions of the executive branch to the LGUs, to ensure implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia case and strengthen the autonomy and empowerment of LGUs.

Under the EO, the functions, services and facilities should be fully devolved to the local government no later than the end of 2024.

Marcos acknowledged that adhering to the Mandanas ruling is the “biggest” issue the LGUs are currently facing, as he is not discounting the possibility that many of them may incur losses.

“Sa papel (When you look at the document), it looks okay. Pero ang net effect sa maraming lugar — hindi lang iba, sa maraming lugar — ang net effect ay nababawasan pa ang pondo na puwedeng gamitin ng chief executive ng local constituency (But the net effect to many local governments — not just a few but many — the net effect is that there will be limited funds which could be used by the chief executive of a local constituency),” he said.

‘All ears’

Given the changes in the past years, Marcos emphasized the need to “rationalize” the government functions to improve the current system in the country.

Marcos assured the local government units that the national government would be “all ears” as they relay their concerns.

“Napakahalaga na kami dito sa national government ay nakikinig sa inyo. Asahan ninyo na dito sa administrasyong ito ay nakabukas lahat ng aking pandinig upang marinig kung ano ang pangangailangan ng ating mga local officials at kung anuman ang ating magagawa upang solusyonan ang mga problema na hinaharap ninyo (It is very important for the national government to listen to you. Expect that this administration is all ears to know what our local officials need and what should be done to address the problems you are currently facing),” he said.

Marcos gave the assurance, as he emphasized their crucial role in helping the national government boost the Philippine economy.

“You are the experts about your municipality. You are the most aware of the problems that you have. You are also the most aware of the possible solutions,” he said. “And again, the growth of our economy, the transformation of our economy will always start from the ground level.”

An allocation of PHP16.5 billion under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), aside from the PHP820.3-billion automatic appropriations as part of LGUs’ share from the national tax collection, is allotted to empower local governments in delivering their devolved services.

The LMP 2023 General Assembly, carrying the theme “Strengthening Municipal Capabilities Around Autonomy and Fostering Resiliency”, underscores the different challenges faced by municipal mayors, and the planned improvements in order to make service delivery more efficient in their localities.

Created by virtue of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, the LMP is mandated to “organize for the primary purpose of ventilating, articulating and crystallizing issues affecting municipal government administration, and securing, through proper and legal means, solutions thereto.”

Since its inception in 1991, the LMP has promoted local autonomy at the municipal level, encouraged people’s participation in local government administration and supplemented efforts of the national government in creating opportunities for gainful employment, Marcos noted.

The LMP also assisted the national government in formulating and implementing programs for municipalities and encouraged cooperation among various sectors to achieve collective development goals.