THE Provincial Government of Pampanga is eyeing some P389-million worth of assistance for various development projects of local government units (LGUs) in Pampanga come 2018.
This was disclosed by Governor Lilia Pineda during the province-wide local development council participatory project prioritization conference and provincial alliance building on Thursday at the Kingsborough International Convention Center in this city.
Governor Pineda said that the provincial government is looking at the approval of the proposed P389-million under the “Assistance to Municipalities” program of the national government to fund the identified development projects of various municipalities and cities of the province next year.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will identify development priorities and evaluate funding assistance to the LGUs from the provincial government.
According to Governor Pineda, the P389 million budget will be utilized by municipalities and cities to boost community development projects such as local access roads, potable water systems, evacuation centers and disaster risk reduction projects, safe and hygienic facilities and small water impounding infrastructure among others.
“Maganda ang ugnayan ng DILG, national government at ng kapitolyo. So, bago matapos ang aking termino at ng Presidente maaaring isa ang Pampanga sa mga pinakamagagandang probinsya,” the governor said.
At present, records from the DILG show that Pampanga has the highest project implementation rate in Central Luzon.
For her part, DILG Regional Director Julie Daquioag said that the national government has been providing assistance to numerous municipalities across the country since 2014 through the bottoms-up-budgeting program.
This year, a total of P347-million was allotted by the national government for the “Assistance to Municipalities” program for the completion of several projects before the end of December.
Meanwhile, DILG Provincial Director Myrvi Fabia reminded mayors of each LGU to accomplish their comprehensive development plan as it is a requirement for the approval of the budget.