Local gov’t support funds may be used as tool in political alliances – solon

MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice on Tuesday questioned how local government support funds (LGSF) are released, warning that requests may be swayed by political weight.

The lawmaker cited the government’s allotment to upgrade a Naga City stadium.

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He asked about a special allotment released to retrofit the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum in Naga City.

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“Why did we give P500 million to Naga when it is the second richest city in Bicol?” he inquired. “Is the president politicizing this because he wants Mayor Leni Robredo to be his ally?”

READ: Robredo thanks Marcos for P500-M funding to repair Naga coliseum

For 2027, the Marcos administration asked Congress for P58.5 billion in LGSF, a 1.14 percent increase from P57.8 billion.

READ: Marcos’ P58.3-B LGSF a potential patronage tool – economist

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The project Erice referred to was issued with a special allotment release order on Feb. 20 to “cover the funding requirements for the implementation of priority project of the City of Naga in the Province of Camarines Sur.”

The description is posted on the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) monitoring website.

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Robredo, who was Marcos’ rival in the 2022 presidential elections, has ruled out a run as a national candidate in the 2028 elections.

She said she will, instead, seek a second term as Naga City mayor. 

Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, who heads the House Appropriations Committee, said Marcos has no role in LGSF releases.

“The approval, the evaluation, and the approval stops at the level of DBM,” she said. “This does not need to be submitted to the Office of the President.”

She said LGSF releases are subject to a “menu” of parameters, including specific projects eligible for release.

Projects qualified for support funding include agricultural-related projects, digitization, construction and retrofitting of roads and buildings, and purchase of hospital equipment.

These guidelines are based on the 2027 National Expenditure Program submitted to Congress.

In response, the DBM said that “local government units themselves – not political intermediaries – will directly seek financial assistance” under LGSF.

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It noted that requests are subject to “established criteria, evaluation, transparency requirements, monitoring and audit.”

It added: “These requirements and accountability mechanisms continue to apply, regardless of the electoral cycle.” /apl