QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- Capacitating and preparing the local government units (LGUs) in the devolution process until full implementation is one of the major priorities of the Department of Budget Management (DBM).
Devolution is the transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, from the national government to LGUs.
In an interview, Budget Sec. Amenah Pangandaman said the DBM, together with other concerned agencies, is formulating measures to enable LGUs to assume their devolved functions by 2027.
“Gagawa po tayo ng capacity building, training, at seminar sa ating mga LGUs para po matulungan sila— para po by that time na magkaroon po tayo ng full devolution ay kaya na po nilang tumayo sa sarili nilang mga paa (We will do capacity building, training, and seminars in our LGUs to help them—so that by the time we have full devolution, they will be able to stand on their own feet),” Sec. Pangandaman said.
It can be recalled that in 2022, DBM submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a draft executive order to amend Executive Order 138 and extend the transfer of some national government functions to LGUs from the previous 2024 to 2027.
“Gagawa po ng programa ang DBM for procurement, proper planning, proper identification of projects, and implementation po. Ang DOF (Department of Finance), meron po silang Bureau of Local Finance, na pwede po magbigay ng guidance kung paano po nila gagamitin ‘yung pera nila... Baka po puwede ring magkaroon sila ng access sa credit or even sa international institutions. (The DBM will create a program for procurement, proper planning, proper identification of projects, and implementation. The DOF (Department of Finance), they have a Bureau of Local Finance, which can provide guidance on how to use their money... Maybe they can also have access to credit or even international institutions)."
"Ang DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), katuwang din po natin diyan, at yung Development Academy of the Philippines. So maraming grupo at department ang tutulong dito, hopefully, before 2027, we are able to capacitate them. (The DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), is also our partner in that, and the Development Academy of the Philippines. So many groups and departments will help here, hopefully, before 2027, we are able to capacitate them),” Sec. Pangandaman continued.
In January, the DBM issued the National Budget Call, which defines the budget framework for drafting the 2024 budget. It calls for the incorporation of the provision of funds for capacity-building programs for LGUs. It highlights that the 2024 budget shall provide funds for agencies' regional programs which are responsive to the needs of the disadvantaged and lagging LGUs.
“Nandirito pa rin po ang DBM para magbigay sa kanila ng guidance kung anong klaseng mga proyekto ang pwede nilang sundin. Meron na tayong Philippine Development Plan, so we're hoping they will follow... para alam nila kung ano ‘yung mga strategies para umunlad ‘yung kanilang mga lugar (DBM is still here to give them guidance on what kind of projects they can follow. We now have the Philippine Development Plan, so we're hoping they will follow... so they know what the strategies are to develop their areas),” Sec. Pangandaman said. (DBM / PIA-NCR)
