The Department of Budget Management (DBM) said the national government will help capacitate local government units (LGUs) in the process of devolution of government services until full implementation.
In a statement on Monday, Feb. 13, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandama said the DBM will conduct capacity building, training, and seminar for LGUs to ensure they will be self-reliant once the full devolution is implemented.
Devolution is the transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, from the national government to LGUs.
Pangandaman said the DBM, together with other concerned agencies, is formulating measures to enable LGUs to assume their devolved functions by 2027.
To recall, the DBM submitted last year to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a draft executive order amending Executive Order 138 and extend the transfer of some national government functions to LGUs from the previous 2024 to 2027.
“The DBM will create a program for procurement, proper planning, proper identification of projects, and implementation,” Pangandaman said.
“The DOF , they have the Bureau of Local Finance that will guide LGUs on how to use their budget. They may also have access to credit or even international institutions,” she added.
The DBM chief added that the Department of Interior and Local Government as well as the Development Academy of the Philippines are also assisting in the devolution process.
“A lot of groups and departments are helping us, hopefully, before 2027, we are able to capacitate them,” Pangandaman continued.
Last January, the DBM issued the National Budget Call, which defines the budget framework for drafting the 2024 budget. It calls for the incorporation of the provision of funds for capacity-building programs for LGUs.
The budget call highlights that the 2024 budget shall provide funds for agencies' regional programs which are responsive to the needs of the disadvantaged and lagging LGUs.
“The DBM is here to give our LGUs guidance on what kind of projects they may want to implement. We also have the Philippine Development Plan, so we're hoping they will follow it so that they have the right strategies in growing their localities,” she said.