MANILA, Philippines- Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Thursday got the support of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the need to give local government units (LGUs) a greater say in crafting the national budget.
During the Senate finance subcommittee hearing on the DILG's proposed budget for 2027, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla agreed with Lacson on the importance of involving district representatives in regional development councils (RDCs) so they can better appreciate and support local development priorities in the national budget.
"The (congressmen) are part of the municipal and provincial development councils, they can participate in the crafting of local development plans. Even in the barangay level they can send their own representatives. But this is not practiced because the mindset of some congressmen is that when the proposed budget reaches Congress, they will prevail," Lacson said.
"When the budget is being crafted, there is a big disconnect because when we make insertions, we don't coordinate or consult with local government officials and the agencies that will implement the programs, activities and projects," he added.
Lacson said that only 35 percent of programs, activities and projects (PAPs) endorsed by regional development councils are adopted in the budget, though this is a slight improvement from only 20 percent in previous years.
Greater participation by local development councils in crafting the national budget is among Lacson's advocacies in empowering local government units - and a mandate of the DILG to ensure that local plans are aligned with national priorities.
For his part, Remulla said RDCs have been neglected "for the longest time."
"If only congressmen can be part of the RDC so they will realize how important it is. As of now, congressmen are not part of RDC but they should be," Remulla said.
Lacson noted the DILG's proposed budget for 2027 includes P206 million for support for local governance programs.
