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Local government units (LGUs) won't be left out in the cold as far as the proposed P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget. 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez made this assurance even as next year's budget, as embodied in the Congress-ratified General Appropriations Bill (GAB), awaited President Marcos' signature. 

In remarks keynoting the awarding of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) to outstanding LGUs at the Manila Hotel on Thursday, Dec. 14, Speaker Romualdez said the 2024 spending plan contains more funds for LGUs that would allow them to deliver more services to the people. 

He said the House crafted the budget “to bring about balanced development, propagating progress not just in urban areas but across the archipelago, so that every Filipino, from the northernmost provinces to the southernmost islands, can thrive with peace and abundance”. 

It outlines the funds for infrastructure projects, educational reforms, healthcare improvements, business development, and agricultural support, Romualdez said. 

“It also contains provisions for the effective implementation of the Mandanas ruling, ensuring that local governments have the resources at the local level," noted the House leader. 

"We hope that the inclusion of these provisions will encourage more LGUs to endeavor to take on the challenge of attaining the [SGLG],” he said. 

The Supreme Court’s (SC) Mandanas ruling, so-called after Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas who filed the petition that prompted the pronouncement, increases the share of LGUs from national revenues. 

Romualdez encouraged more local government officials to aspire for the SGLG awarded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). 

“We understand that undertaking this endeavor may seem difficult for first-timers. What today’s awardees show is that it can be done,” he said. 

The Leyte 1st district congressman promised support for local officials “who desire to empower our fellow Filipinos so that they are able to pursue their ambitions". 

“My office is open to establishing an institutional mechanism that will enable and facilitate better coordination between the House of Representatives and local government units,” he said.