Recto meets LGU leaders to firm up partnership on rollout of 2026 development funds
Photo from the Office of the Executive Secretary
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto met with leaders of local government leagues to strengthen coordination on the timely, transparent, and effective use of funds under the 2026 national budget.
In a statement, Recto said the meeting was in line with President Marcos’ directive to treat local government units not merely as recipients of national funds but as active partners in development.
The consultation comes as the General Appropriations Act for 2026 sets aside about P1.4 trillion in downloadable funds for provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.
Recto underscored the need to align national priorities with local needs through a rules-based approach that ensures public funds translate into measurable social benefits.
Congress also increased allocations for the Local Government Support Fund, which now stands at P57.87 billion under the 2026 spending program.
Recto said discussions focused on improving fund utilization and ensuring that projects supported by the LGSF deliver verifiable outcomes on the ground.
Present at the meeting were Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines national president and League of Provinces of the Philippines chairman Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua, LPP president Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., League of Cities of the Philippines president Mayor Francis Zamora, League of Municipalities of the Philippines president Mayor Faustino Dy V, and Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas president Maria Katrina Jessica Dy.
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Toledo, along with assistant secretaries Ryan Lita and Angel Magtalas, also attended the consultation.
House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos was likewise present during the meeting.