Las pi±as city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Wednesday his intention to boost the allocations for the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) and the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) in 2027 to enhance the efficiency of service delivery at the grassroots level.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos made this statement during the launch of the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang initiative in Las Pi±as City. He emphasized that the decision to increase funding for these programs will be based on the outcomes of their nationwide implementation. "If we achieve good results from what we are doing, if assistance is delivered efficiently and quickly to our people, you can expect that in 2027, we will increase the funding for the LGSF and the SCPF," Marcos stated.
The LGSF and the SCPF are integral parts of the government's strategy to bolster support for local government units and communities. The LGSF offers financial aid to LGUs to back priority development programs and projects, while the SCPF finances community-level initiatives, including educational support.
Marcos highlighted the significance of empowering LGUs, pointing out that devolving funds leads to quicker and more efficient service delivery. He argued that local officials are better equipped to identify beneficiaries and manage programs compared to centralized processes, which are often delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Program, vulnerable families will receive 10 kg of rice every two months, six times a year, via the LGSF to ensure food security. In addition, the SCPF allocates PHP200,000 to each village, with half designated for educational assistance. Each village is required to support at least five presidential scholars, providing them with PHP20,000 each.
Marcos underscored the 'whole-of-government' approach, which enhances coordination between national and local governments, as vital to ensuring timely assistance to intended recipients. He reassured the public of his administration's ongoing efforts to improve and expand programs aimed at mitigating the impact of rising costs and enhancing the quality of life for Filipinos.
"We will continue doing this to ensure that everyone in need and those asking for help will receive assistance and support from the government," Marcos affirmed. "We remain committed to our duty - that the government is here to care for the people, help them, improve their lives, and protect our fellow citizens."
