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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Mayor Francis hails strengthened local, national gov't cooperation and funding for social services

Mayor Francis hails strengthened local, national gov't cooperation and funding for social services

Published Feb 24, 2026 11:14 am
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins city government leaders from across the country in signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education to help fast-track permits, identify priority schools, and support the construction of safe and modern classrooms in their respective communities. (Photo by Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins city government leaders from across the country in signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education to help fast-track permits, identify priority schools, and support the construction of safe and modern classrooms in their respective communities. (Photo by Mark Balmores)

League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) National President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his administration for their steadfast support to local governments across the country, particularly with the passing of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) and the National Classroom Building Program.

Local government officials from different parts of the country convened at Malacañang Palace on Monday, Feb. 23, for the rollout of the "Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program, wherein P57.87 billion was allocated in supporting local government units (LGUs) nationwide to be used in the creation of their key infrastructure projects and social support services.

"Nasaksihan natin ang dalawang napakahalagang hakbang na magpapalawak sa kapasidad ng ating mga LGU upang mas mabilis, mas episyente, at mas epektibong maipatupad ang mga proyektong pang-imprastruktura at mga programang panlipunan para sa ating mga kababayan: Una, ang paglulunsad ng Local Government Support Fund, kung saan ang pondo mula sa pamahalaang nasyonal ay direktang ida-download sa mga lokal na pamahalaan. Magkakaroon ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ng malinaw na menu ng mga programang maaaring paglaanan ng pondo—para sa imprastruktura o para sa social services—batay sa pangangailangan at prayoridad ng bawat lungsod at bayan (We have witnessed two very important steps that will expand the capacity of our LGUs to implement infrastructure projects and social programs for our countrymen faster, more efficiently, and more effectively: First, the launch of the Local Government Support Fund, where funds from the national government will be directly downloaded to local governments. The Department of Budget and Management will have a clear menu of programs that can be allocated with the funds—for infrastructure or for social services—based on the needs and priorities of each city and town)," Zamora explained.

In San Juan City, he said the city government will focus on the strengthening and modernization of the San Juan Medical Center (SJMC) to further improve its facilities and medical equipment to boost the quality of healthcare it can provide for San Juaneños.

"Pangalawa, ang Nationwide Classroom Building Program, kung saan direktang ida-download din sa mga lokal na pamahalaan, sa pakikipagtulungan ng Department of Education (DepEd), ang pondo para sa pagpapatayo ng mga bagong silid-aralan. Malaking hakbang ito upang mabawasan ang kakulangan sa mga classroom sa buong bansa at masiguro ang mas maayos, ligtas, at angkop na kapaligiran para sa pagkatuto ng ating mga mag-aaral (Second, the Nationwide Classroom Building Program, where funds for the construction of new classrooms will be directly downloaded to local government units, in collaboration with the Department of Education. This is a major step to reduce the shortage of classrooms nationwide and ensure a more orderly, safe, and appropriate learning environment for our students)," the mayor, who is also the president of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), noted.

Zamora had earlier hosted the Mayor’s Dialogue on Accelerating Classroom-Building in Cities and Municipalities on Jan. 28 at the Makabagong San Juan National Government Center, which was attended by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Sen. Bam Aquino, who proposed the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) bill aimed at addressing classroom shortages and other concerns in the nation's education sector.

A total of 240 local chief executives from various cities and municipalities nationwide, along with national education leaders, attended the event to discuss concrete and collaborative solutions to address classroom shortages and strengthen basic education infrastructure, particularly in light of the CAP Act.

"Ako po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa pamahalaang nasyonal sa patuloy nitong pagtitiwala sa kakayahan ng mga LGU. Asahan po ninyo na ang tiwalang ito ay hindi masasayang. Ang bawat pisong ipinagkatiwala ay mapupunta sa tama—walang ghost projects, walang substandard projects. Ang lahat ay maayos na maipapatupad at tunay na mapapakinabangan ng ating mga mamamayan (I sincerely thank the national government for its continued trust in the capabilities of the LGUs. Please expect that this trust will not be wasted. Every peso entrusted will go to the right place—no ghost projects, no substandard projects. Everything will be properly implemented and will truly benefit our citizens)," Zamora stressed.

Related Tags

FRANCIS ZAMORA LCP MMC SAN JUAN CITY PBBM LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FUND NATIONAL CLASSROOM BUILDING PROGRAM EDUCATION SOCIAL SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
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