KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO- The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is increasing efforts to empower local government units (LGUs) nationwide through the decentralization of funds, especially the Local Support Fund, according to Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr.
Governor Tamayo shared the President’s directive during the “Usapang Budget Natin” forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), which gathered senior Cabinet officials to present updates on their agencies’ budget allocations and their priority programs and projects.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has clearly directed that local government units be empowered through the decentralization of funds, especially the Local Support Fund,” Governor Tamayo said.
The forum served as a platform to explain how national government resources are being aligned with local development needs, highlighting the administration’s commitment to improving service delivery at the grassroots level.
Governor Tamayo emphasized that President Marcos has been clear in his call to give LGUs greater fiscal authority, allowing them to respond more effectively and efficiently to their communities’ specific needs.
He added that decentralization is vital to ensuring government services reach communities quickly, especially in areas where local governments have the best understanding of on-the-ground conditions and priorities.
The event was attended by key officials from various national agencies, including Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Nora C. Oliveros, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Marlo Iringan, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Dimaporo, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Ador Canlas, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral, Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Secretary Edson Byron Sy, Department of Defense (DND) Undersecretary Gavin Edjawan, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan.
Also present was Philippine Information Agency Director-General Katherine Chloe De Castro, who reaffirmed PIA’s role in promoting transparency and public awareness of government budget policies and development initiatives.
Governor Tamayo further noted that President Marcos stressed the importance of aligning the country’s governance system with effective service delivery at the LGU level to directly meet the people’s genuine needs.
“The direction of governance must be aligned with service delivery at the local government level to accurately respond to the real needs of our people,” he added.
The administration continues to advocate for broader government decentralization, viewing it as a key strategy for achieving inclusive growth, sustainable development, and long-term national progress.
