President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration is strengthening and empowering local government units (LGUs) to restore public confidence in government following recent controversies, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said.
In a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, Remulla said the President is giving LGUs greater resources and authority in the implementation of key projects, including classrooms construction and housing programs for the poorest sectors.
“Ang ating Pangulo ay nagbigay ng bagong prayoridad para sa local government. Hinggil ito sa sigaw ng tao para maibalik ang tiwala ng mga mamamayan para sa ating mga pamahalaan,” the DILG chief said.
“Ngayon na nakita natin kung ano ang depekto ng ating budget, ang depekto ng ating gobyerno, ginagawa lahat ng ating Pangulo para pumarehas ang laban – tinatama niya ang mali sa DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), tinatama niya ang mali sa national government at pinapalakas niya ang lokal na gobyerno,” Remulla added.
The DILG Secretary said by empowering LGUs, the administration of President Marcos aims to reduce inefficiencies in government operations.
“Ang tawag namin diyan ay ‘friction cost.’ Mas mataas ang friction cost sa national government kaysa local government kaya magbibigay siya ng malaking kakayahan sa ating local government sa pamamagitan ng Local Government Support Fund at iba pang mga paraan,” Remulla added.
Remulla said the construction of classrooms and rural and urban housing for the poorest sectors would be implemented through local government units.
He noted that the setup could reduce classroom construction costs by at least 40 percent while also stimulating local economies.
“Ito ang kakayahan ng local government, ito ang kakayahan ng Local Government Code pero sa ilalim ng ating Pangulo pinalakas niya ito, nilagyan niya ng pondo at binigyan ng tiwala na ang local government mismo ang siyang mag-uusad ng national development,” said Remulla. | PND
