Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. expressed support for the creation of a team that will deal with the decentralization of the functions of the national government agencies (NGA) and devolve them to the local government units (LGUs).

In a statement, Abalos emphasized that the DILG remains committed to bridge the concerns of the LGUs to the current administration “as we continue to pursue a middle ground in the implementation of full devolution arising from the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia petitions.’’

The Mandanas-Garcia ruling resulted from the petition made by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and former Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia Jr. before the Supreme Court on local government shares on internal revenue allotment (IRA).

In the said petition, Mandanas and Garcia stressed that the LGU shares should include all national taxes.

The Supreme Court affirmed that local government units are entitled to a “just share” on all national taxes collected and not only from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Abalos noted the critical responsibility of leading the special team taking into account the primordial mandate of the LGUs to provide the highest quality of public service to their constituents.

He pointed out that full devolution can be “challenging for our LGUs, hence, we commit to creating a safe environment where they can air their concerns and sentiments towards a more productive exchange of ideas and its improved implementation.’’

“Patuloy po kaming magiging kaisa ng mga lokal na pamahalaan tungo sa mas maunlad at progresibong bansa (The LGUs will continue to be committed towards a more developed and progressive nation),’’ Abalos said.