Tinio slams proposed P37.5-B LGU assistance budget in 2027

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio flagged the proposed P37.5 billion budget allocated to the Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (FALGU) in 2027, further describing it as “President’s LGU pork”.

Tinio criticized the proposed large sum allocated under the Local Government Support Fund’s FALGU at P37.5 billion, which is the same budget as in 2026.

The program aims to directly fund local priority projects, infrastructure modernization or development, and other urgent needs in the community that deliver basic services.

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He said the nature of these funds is highly discretionary, with no spending limit for infrastructure projects.

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READ: Budget scrutiny flags ballooning LGU fund

“Pambihira itong President’s LGU pork na ito. Walang anumang limit sa dami at laki ng budget para sa infrastructure projects ng local chief executives na maaaring pondohan ng Financial Assistance to LGUs,” he expressed in a statement released on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

(“This “President’s LGU pork” is extraordinary. There is absolutely no limit on the volume or size of the budget for local chief executives’ infrastructure projects that can be funded through Financial Assistance to LGUs.”)

He noted that some local executives received as much as P500 million to P830 million in 2025, while a staggering P937.7 million in 2026.

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As of May 2026, around P24.15 billion was released to fund the 1,345 LGU projects and programs.

Below is a list of the LGUs with the most allocation in 2026, as provided by the congressman:

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Provincial level

• Batangas – P868 million
• Pangasinan – P384 million
• Bulacan – P378 million
• Rizal – P376 million
• Cebu – P360 million

City level

• Quezon City – P937.7 million
• San Juan City – P522 million
• Caloocan City – P430.9 million
• Manila City – P286 million
• Valenzuela City – P218 million

Municipal level

• Echague, Isabela – P35 million
• Lopez, Quezon – P25 million
• Compostela, Davao de Oro – P25 million
• Apalit, Pampanga – P25 million
• San Manuel, Tarlac – P25 million

“Kapuna-puna ang allocation disparity. Tapos ngayong taon, planong na laanan ng napakalaking P37.5 billion,” he expressed.

(“The disparity in allocation is striking. And now, there is a plan to allocate a massive P37.5 billion this year.”)

The solon raised that under the Department of Budget and Management’s guidelines, requested funding for financial assistance have an “indicative ceiling”; P50 million for provinces, P20 million for municipalities, and P5 million for barangays.

Meanwhile, for infrastructure projects, only barangays have an allocation limit of P10 million.

“Nakasaad sa DBM Guidelines, bukod sa scorecard, ikokonsidera rin daw ng DBM ang ‘necessity, just and equitable distribution among LGUs’,” he cited.

(“The DBM guidelines state that, in addition to the scorecard, the DBM will also consider ‘necessity’ and ‘just and equitable distribution among LGUs.’”

He added, “Mukhang ito ang resulta: ang napakalaking disparity ng alokasyon ng President’s LGU Pork.”

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(“It seems this is the result: the massive disparity in the allocation of the President’s LGU “pork.”) /cb