FULL devolution of powers to local government units (LGUs) will usher toward more responsive governance.
During the Dagyaw 2021: Resbakuna para sa Ekonomiya Virtual Town Hall, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Central Luzon Capability Development Division Chief Ener Cambronero said this is expected to provide a jumpstart for LGUs on some of the services that are yet being fully delivered at their level to have funding and resource support.
“In light of the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia petition, Executive Order 138 was issued by President Duterte for implementation to provide the operational mechanism on how to smoothly facilitate the transition toward full devolution. With this, LGUs will be at a better standpoint to fulfill our banner to Angat-Lokal: Elevate and Empower the Level of Local Governance,” Cambronero said.
Under the Mandanas-Garcia ruling, LGUs will have a 37.8 percent increase in allocation which they can use to deliver more and better services for their constituents.
This will also enable LGUs to exercise local autonomy and self-determination in terms of selection and prioritization of programs to be implemented in their respective areas as well as to source out additional personnel depending on their needs.
Readiness
In terms of readiness, Cambronero said an orientation on the preparation of Devolution Transition Plans (DTPs) is being conducted by the DILG provincial offices from August to the present in order to guide LGUs in crafting their plans.
Reports from DILG showed that as of November 10, 89.78 percent or 2,790 barangays in Central Luzon already submitted their DTPs.
Meanwhile, component cities and municipalities are given until November 12 to submit their plans, while provinces and highly-urbanized cities have until December 12.
“Those are our preparatory activities for the 2022-2024 transition to full devolution. As for the activities for 2022, there are already planned series of activities to further capacitate LGUs during the transition which will be later finalized after all LGU DTPs are submitted,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cambronero encouraged LGUs to prioritize their DTPs programs and projects in response to Covid-19, citing that long-term economic recovery is dependent on the immediate response made to solve the pandemic.
He also mentioned programs geared toward the provision of potable water supply and nutrition among those that need prioritization; as well as implementing community-based monitoring systems to ensure responsive and effective programs and projects anchored on timely and credible data.
“We also urge LGUs to boost local revenue generation to cushion the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic by prioritizing income-generating enterprises and services, and to strengthen cooperatives and local enterprises development since they have the potential to rev up local economy by providing livelihood to rural communities and areas with relatively high unemployment,” Cambronero said.
The Mandanas-Garcia ruling will create a full devolution of powers and resources to the LGUs this 2022 by leaving to them the management and budget of basic services and facilities in their localities.
It is expected to create a balloon of 27.66 percent or more than P234.4 billion in the internal revenue allotment of LGUs from the estate tax, documentary stamp tax, travel tax, sin tax, and other taxes collected by the National Government, aside from the Bureau of Internal Revenue collections. (PR)