Leyte: The local government unit (LGU) here expressed appreciation to the national government for allowing them to identify projects funded under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). Matag-ob Mayor Bernandino Tacoy said on Wednesday that the policy enables local officials to direct funds to the most pressing needs of their communities.
According to Philippines News Agency, the municipal government has allocated its PHP30-million share from the LGSF to a road concreting project and assistance for the national government's rice distribution program. "For us, it is good that the national government has this LGSF program where we can identify the project ourselves, and the funds are given to us so we can implement the project," Tacoy told reporters.
Of the town's PHP30-million allocation, PHP25 million was earmarked for the concreting of a more than one-kilometer road connecting Sitio Balanac in Barangay Balagtas and Sitio Balanac in Barangay Sto. Rosario. Tacoy said the road project is expected to undergo bidding this month. He said the project was prioritized because the area is prone to flooding and has long been affected by its low elevation. Water from higher portions of neighboring Villaba flows toward the area, making the road difficult to pass, particularly during periods of heavy rain.
The project will include elevating the road, which Tacoy said would also benefit farmers who rely on the route to transport their agricultural products. "This is a flood-prone area. The road has a major problem because it is low-lying. All the water from the higher areas of Villaba flows toward this area," Tacoy said.
The remaining PHP5 million from the LGSF allocation was used to support the national government's rice distribution program, which is still ongoing in the municipality. Tacoy said the municipality initially targeted 5,000 families for the rice distribution but now aims to provide rice assistance to all families in Matag-ob. More than eight of the municipality's 21 barangays have so far received rice, with additional support from the provincial government helping expand the distribution.
Tacoy said allowing LGUs to identify projects under the LGSF is significant because local officials are more familiar with the immediate needs of their constituents. "It is a big help because we can see the priority needs of our people," he said. He added the arrangement helps ensure that government funds are directed toward projects that directly address local concerns, citing the PHP25-million road concreting project as an example.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expanded the LGSF to a historic PHP57.87 billion in the 2026 budget and proposed a further increase to PHP58.53 billion for 2027, allowing local government units to act as direct project implementers.
