MAYBE, or maybe some only. Only the people know.
The expansive devolution of government functions, services, facilities and personnel from central government to local government units (LGUs) is now on sight and possible beginning in 2022 with the newly signed PRRD's EO 138 and the scheduled implementation of Mandanas Ruling, also next year.
EO 138 calls for the devolution of the remaining functions, facilities and services set under Sec. 17 of Local Government Code (LGC of 1991). These include education, health, transport and communication, sectoral development, land use development, basic services, comprehensive and participatory governmental functions.
What will remain with the central government are functions and concerns of national importance like national security, sovereignty, foreign relations, national resource management and development, national culture and heritage preservation and enrichment, and national supervision and oversight, among others.
With expanded roles and functions, follow added funds for LGUs. This is where Mandanas Ruling comes in which it states that other taxes collected by the central government will have to be shared to LGUs. It is expected that LGUs IRA will balloon from 20 percent to as much as 57-60 percent.
Per my initial discussion with my boss chiefs in DILG central office, including former USEC for Local Government Austere Panadero, and other colleagues, EO 138 and Mandanas Ruling (MR) will not come easy for LGUs.
Contrary to their expectations that EO 138 and MR will make their governance and life easier, both orders will challenge their wit, and crack their brains.
Before they can be enlisted into the list of LGUs for the first and second batches of devolution qualifiers, the LGUs have to finish first their fundamentals, updated and viable Clup and CDP, seal of good housekeeping, seal of good local governance, functional freedom of Information system, operational anti red tape systems, effective functionality of LDCs and LSBs, among others.
Then they have to consolidate everything into a Devolution Transition Plan (DTP) which they have to submit to National Committee on Devolution (NCD) for evaluation and approval.
Once done, only then can the devolution process begins.
Bacolod City and other HUCs, and members of League of Cities of the Philippines are fortunate that Bacolod Mayor Bing Leonardia is a member of the NCD.
Mayor Bing team's experience in HUC management is definitely an advantage for the more serious LGUs, honest to transform theirs into inclusive, participatory, resilient, and sustainable society.
Still, there's so much to be done for all LGUs, big and small, strong and weak.