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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Mayor Vico says LGU support fund lessens political interference in realizing city projects

Mayor Vico says LGU support fund lessens political interference in realizing city projects

Published Feb 23, 2026 01:52 pm
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto speaks during the flag-raising ceremony on December 15. (Photos from Pasig PIO)
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto speaks during the flag-raising ceremony on December 15. (Photos from Pasig PIO)
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said the local government support fund (LGSF) helps curb political interference in terms of securing support for local projects.
In an interview on the sidelines of the launch of "Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang" in Malacañan Palace on Monday, Feb. 23, Sotto said LGSF also allows government units to implement projects they deem necessary for their cities without having to beg or deal with external factors.
"[Y]ung maganda dito, talagang nakalaan na yung pondo for LGU (local government unit) tapos lahat meron, minus sa politika, hindi ka na magmamakaawa, hindi ka na makikiusap (What’s good about it is that the funds are already allocated for LGUs, and everyone receives support, minus the politics. You no longer have to beg or make appeals)," Sotto said in an ambush interview.
"Nakalaan na talaga yung pondo tapos ine-empower yung LGU kung ano ang kailangan ng LGU. Hindi yung may iba pang magsasabi sa amin na: ito yung gawin ninyo. E, syempre alam ng LGU kung ano yung kailangan sa lokalidad nila (The funding is already set aside, and it empowers the LGU to decide what it needs. And not having someone else telling us what projects to implement. Of course, the LGU knows what its locality needs)," Sotto added.
According to the Pasig City mayor, the funds the city will be receiving under the LGSF will be intended to build green spaces and blue spaces within the city.
"So, nakapag-submit na rin kami ng mga project proposals yung mga infra project proposals—yung mga magandang gawin sa aming lungsod pero hindi pa napondohan ng LGU, e ito na po, malaking tulong (We have already been able to submit project proposals, particularly infrastructure proposals—projects that would be good for our city but have not yet been funded by the LGU. This is truly a big help)," Sotto said.
"So malaking bagay po ito, malaking tulong. And we're very thankful for the LGSF (This is a significant development and a huge help for us, and we are very thankful for the LGSF)," he added.
Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the government has allocated the largest LGSF in the country’s history at P57.872 billion, an increase of P34.87 billion.  
It includes the financial assistance to LGUs (FALGU) amounting to P37.492 billion, the Growth Equity Fund (GEF) totaling P11.3 billion, the Support to the Barangay Development Program (SBDP/NTF-ELCAC) amounting to P8.09 billion, and the Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting (SAFPB) totaling P1 billion.
On Monday, President Marcos launched the "Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang" campaign, which aims to demonstrate that transferring resources from the national government to ordinary Filipinos is transparent, digital, and directly reaches the LGUs.  
The event was attended by various local chief executives, including Sotto, former vice president and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso.

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