Governance is tested not by promises, but by how fast results reach the people.

The 2026 Local Government Support Fund represents a decisive shift in how we deliver those results. With a record ₱57.87 billion allocation, the largest in our country’s history, this is not simply an increase in funding. It is a transfer of trust, authority, and responsibility to local government units across the Philippines.

When we gathered at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace for the launch of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made it clear: empowered local leadership is no longer optional. It is the path forward.

The logic is simple. Local officials are the ones on the ground. We hear, see and feel the needs of our people. That is precisely why resources must be focused on where they are needed most, at the LGU level. By directing funds straight to local governments, the President removes layers of delay and empowers LGUs to act decisively. When support is placed in the hands of those who have full grasp of the situation, assistance moves faster, solutions become more targeted, and help reaches our people where it is needed most.

As mayor of the City of San Juan, president of the Metro Manila Council, and National president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, I have witnessed how the process was largely centralized, with implementation heavily dependent on the Department of Public Works and Highways. Not all LGUs have the capacity to build their own infrastructure projects, which meant that timelines were often dictated by national processes. Today, that framework has shifted. The President has given LGUs the trust and confidence to take the lead, to plan, implement, and deliver projects that directly address the needs of our communities.

On behalf of the League of Cities and the Metro Manila Council, I acknowledge this trust with full awareness of its weight. At a time when local governments are carrying greater responsibilities under full devolution, this fund equips us to meet those expectations. This is not merely a release of resources. It is a mandate to lead, deliver, and be accountable.

But autonomy does not mean absence of oversight.

The Department of Budget and Management has established a clear framework of safeguards. All requests are coursed through the Ugnayang Bayan Portal, ensuring digitized tracking and documented accountability. A defined Project Menu prioritizes high-impact infrastructure such as climate-resilient evacuation centers and hospital modernization. A scorecard system measures compliance. Quarterly reporting on the SubayBayan Portal provides transparency. Post-audit by the Commission on Audit ensures discipline.

Direct funding is paired with direct accountability.

In San Juan, we are prioritizing the modernization of the San Juan Medical Center by acquiring additional medical equipment to expand free services for our residents.

This is what empowered governance looks like: faster decisions, visible results.

This infusion of capital carries responsibility. With fewer bureaucratic barriers comes greater accountability. I speak not only as the leader of the Metro Manila Council and the League of Cities of the Philippines, but as a fellow public servant to every mayor and governor: this fund is a measure of our integrity.

The 2026 LGSF is a public trust. There is definitely no room for substandard work, ghost projects, or misuse of funds. Every peso must produce visible and tangible results. Every project must withstand public scrutiny.

If we execute this responsibly, the true beneficiaries will be Filipino families as their government responds with speed and listens with intent.

That is the promise of the Bagong Pilipinas Local Government Support Fund: empowered local governments delivering concrete and measurable outcomes.

The opportunity is before us. It is now our responsibility to prove worthy of it.

To all my fellow mayors and to our governors, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has given his full trust and confidence in our capacity, let us show the Filipino people that we can deliver. It’s time for us, LGUs, to shine.