Bokod: Mayor Erik Donn Ignacio of Bokod, Benguet, expressed gratitude to the national government for the financial assistance it extends to local government units, helping small towns like his deliver more programs and services to their constituents. "Sana mas malakas, mas malaki ang tulong at assistance ng national sa LGUs kasi may pera naman pala. Sana tuluy-tuloy ang pagbigay na hindi na dadaan pa kung kanino man para makakuha," he said in an interview.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ignacio was referring to the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), where his town received PHP10 million. Of the amount, PHP5 million is specifically for rice support to the people and another PHP5 million for infrastructure. The fund for infrastructure was halved for the repair of a road cut damaged in the last typhoon that disconnects a far-flung community and the addition to the concrete pavement leading to another far-flung barangay.
Ignacio noted that small amounts, when available, will enable them to complete the concreting of the road, making access easier. He appreciated the Department of the Interior and Local Government's monitoring of the utilization of the LGSF. "They do constant monitoring of the LGSF, almost every week, which is good," he said. However, he hopes that the local government can be given more freedom in determining the utilization of the fund.
Ignacio also mentioned PHP9 million they are set to receive from the national government for disaster damage. He questioned why LGUs must request assistance when there is available money. "Ang dami palang pera na pwedeng ibigay sa LGU, bakit hindi kasi ibigay, personally, ang daming assistance bakit kailangan pa mag-request," he stated.
He further expressed his expectations for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., hoping for an emphasis on the role of LGUs. Ignacio believes the President's administration is focusing on programs for local government units. "I hope that Malaca±ang trusts us because we can manage our resources and we are doing everything that we can so that the finances will translate to meaningful programs and projects," he concluded.
