Quezon city: The Quezon City government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local programs as it welcomed the national government's PHP58-billion allocation for the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) this year, the highest in history.
According to Philippines News Agency, the city government said in a news release Friday that the boosted fund would help scale up local programs and services, while reiterating its commitment to transparent and accountable use of the fund. 'Gaya ng Pangulo, naniniwala ang pamahalaang lungsod na mainam na hakbang ang pagbababa nito sa mga lokal na pamahalaan para masiguro ang mabilis at epektibong pagpapatupad ng mga programa tulad ng pagpapatayo ng mahahalagang imprastraktura, pagpapalakas ng programang medikal, paghahanda sa mga sakuna at iba pa (Like the President, the city government believes that devolving this to local governments is a good step to ensure the swift and effective implementation of programs such as the construction of essential infrastructure, strengthening of medical programs, disaster preparedness and others),' the statement read.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the direct release of the PHP57.87 billion LGSF during the launch of the 'Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang' program at Malaca±ang in Manila on Feb. 23, in the presence of hundreds of governors and mayors nationwide. The initiative aims to ensure that national funding support is felt immediately and equitably across communities.
Among the priority programs under the LGSF is a rice assistance initiative that will provide more than five million Filipino families with 60 kilos of rice annually, or 10 kilos per month for six months. The fund will also support health facility upgrades, disaster preparedness initiatives and critical infrastructure projects, including farm-to-market roads, electrification and water supply systems.
Mayor Joy Belmonte is among the convenors of Mayors for Good Governance, with Baguio City's Benjamin Magalong, Pasig City's Vico Sotto and Isabela, Basilan's Sitti Djalia Hataman. 'This significant increase affirms the vital role of local governments in delivering services that matter most to our people,' the group said in a statement on Wednesday.
The local government assured that the funds allocated to Quezon City will be used to enhance various meaningful projects that directly benefit the QCitizens. 'Sinisiguro ng pamahalaang lungsod na magiging maayos at tapat ang pangangasiwa ng pondo. Bawat sentimo ay mapapakinabangan ng publiko (The city government ensures that the management of funds will be orderly and honest. Every centavo will benefit the public),' the city's statement read.
