The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) vowed on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to continue carrying out capacity development (CapDev) programs of the local government units (LGUs) in a bid to improve their delivery of agriculture, health and environment services to the public amid the devolution of functions to the localities.

DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr., said the assessment of the department’s LGU Devolution Transition Plan (DTP) Analytics revealed the priority sectors for the provinces in the CapDev agenda include agriculture, environment, health and administrative while those for component cities/municipalities are agriculture, health, environment, social welfare, and administrative sectors, as identified by the respective LGUs.

He added that the LGA, in collaboration with the NGAs, must calibrate its CapDev initiatives in connection with the result of the said analytics to better address the CapDev needs of LGUs.

“We must adhere to the results of the DTP Analytics as these will guide us on the most ideal CapDev initiatives to be implemented to better assist the LGUs amid the implementation of full devolution,” he added.

Abalos also explained that among the areas covered by the Data Capture Forms (DCF) included in the said assessment are the inventory of devolved functions and services, phasing of full assumption of devolved functions, services, and facilities by the LGU, LGU budget for FSFs for full assumption, existing and proposed additional plantilla position, and budget and performance monitoring for devolved functions and services.

Recently, the DILG Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD)stated that the Analytics showed that the LGUs recommended the hiring of additional regular staff in provinces, cities, and municipalities to aid them in their health, agriculture, social welfare, and infrastructure responsibilities.

“The proposed augmentation of human resources will support full devolution. With such, no province, city, municipality, and barangay will be left behind,” Abalos assured.

In a briefing, 99 percent or 75 provinces, 144 cities, 1,370 municipalities and 39,450 barangays have already submitted their DTP.

Only one barangay in Capiz, one municipality in Nueva Ecij, and one province in Negros Oriental did not submit their DTP.

“We are closely assisting LGUs that have not yet completed and submitted their DTPs. Hopefully, they can meet the requirements so they could start operationalizing and incorporating it in their budget preparation and revenue mobilization,” Abalos said.

The DILG chief disclosed that consultations between NGAs and LGUs on the delineation of NGA programs, projects, and services supporting devolved functions are still underway.

Likewise, Abalos said the LGA conducted a study based on the indicators of the 2021 Seal of Good Local Governance to determine the capacity and performance of LGUs in the context of the implementation of full devolution.

The study showed that 51 percent or 878 out of a total of 1,706 LGUs profiled have high capacity and high performance and require a higher level of CapDev activities to elevate their current status.

The DILG noted that only 26.6 percent or 455 LGUs remain to have a low capacity and low performance, which will be needing significant foundational, enabling, and developmental interventions to enhance their capacity and performance.

Abalos pointed out that the LGA has trained 143 DILG and Local Resource Institution (LRI) coaches in 2022 and certified 59 Level 1 coaches to provide continuous training in CapDev agenda formulation to LGUs. (Chito A. Chavez)