𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐅 𝐄𝐗𝐄𝐂𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝟓𝟖-𝐁 𝐋𝐆𝐒𝐅 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌 𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐍̃𝐀𝐍𝐆
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro joined fellow local chief executives at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, Feb. 23, for the launch of the expanded Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) program of the national government.
For 2026, the LGSF has been increased by more than ₱34 billion compared to last year’s allocation, bringing the total to ₱57.872 billion — the highest in the fund’s history. It is intended to strengthen national government support for all local government units (LGUs), ensuring that national progress translates into concrete benefits for Filipino families across the country.
In his speech, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized that real and lasting change begins at the local level.
“Bilang local chief executives, kayo ang unang nakakaramdam ng problema at unang nakakarinig ng mga hinaing. Dahil kayo ang nakakaalam ng tunay na kalagayan sa inyong komunidad, sa inyo nagsisimula ang pagbabago,” the President said.
Also present were representatives from the league of governor, city mayors, and municipal mayors, including Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi Chan, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, among many others.
PRIORITY PROGRAMS UNDER LGSF
The expanded LGSF will support the construction of hospitals and health stations, the procurement of medical equipment, and the development of disaster-resilient multi-purpose halls and evacuation centers. It will also fund farm-to-market roads and local road networks to boost trade, lower prices, and increase farmers’ income, as well as improve water supply systems and electrification projects nationwide.
President Marcos explained that reforms were introduced to address past delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks in fund releases, which he described as a “demand-driven system,” where funds were released only after LGUs had completed and submitted all requirements.
This system posed challenges, particularly for smaller and remote LGUs that had difficulty accessing national assistance. To speed up implementation, the President ordered the direct release of funds to LGUs to streamline processes and accelerate project delivery.
“Pinabilis at pinadiretso na natin ang pagdating ng LGSF sa bawat lokal na pamahalaan. Ginawa namin ito dahil sa pagkilala na ang pangangailangan ng tao, gaano man kaliit o gaano kalaki ay hindi pa naghihintay pa,” the President said.
CEBU’S COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
For 2026, the President also reported that approximately ₱1.19 trillion in National Tax Allotment has already been released to LGUs — over 15 percent higher than in 2025 — further strengthening their fiscal capacity.
“Ibig sabihin, mas kaya na ngayon ng ating mga LGUs na pondohan ang mga programang kailangan ng kanilang nasasakupan,” the President said. “Bahagi ang LGSF ng mas malawak nating layunin na isulong ang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan ang pag-unlad ay nararamdaman sa bawat rehiyon at bawat komunidad,” he added.
Governor Baricuatro’s presence at the event demonstrates Cebu’s commitment to aligning provincial programs with the national government’s agenda of inclusive and equitable development for the welfare and benefit of Cebuanos.
The program highlights a renewed national-local partnership — ensuring that resources move faster, reach farther, and directly benefit ordinary Filipinos at the barangay and household levels. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔: 𝑷𝒂𝒎 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒐 𝑭𝑩 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆, 𝑷𝑪𝑶
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