The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), led by its president and Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, appealed to the Senate to increase and strengthen the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) for local governments to continue providing essential and high-quality services to their communities.
On Wednesday, he was joined by San Juan City Mayor and LCP president Francis Zamora, along with other local leaders, as they presented the appeal on behalf of ULAP and its member organizations—the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), and the Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB).
In an interview with DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan, Cua said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—the government’s primary infrastructure agency—is currently “cleaning up its racks,” causing delays in construction and public works activities.
Cua said LGUs approached the Senate after observing that economic activity had softened due to delays in national infrastructure projects.
“Kami ay lumapit [sa Senado] dahil napapansin namin na ‘yung ekonomiya natin ay medyo bumagal dahil 'yung DPWH na pangunahing infrastructure investment agency ng ating gobyerno medyo naglilinis ngayon ng kanyang racks," Cua said.
"Bumagal ang mga kanilang construction at building. Sinabi namin na baka pwede naman lalo na yung maliliit na construction projects ay madagdagan ng support ang mga LGUs para lalo rin po tayo makabigay ng sapat na serbisyo sa ating mga komunidad through the LGUs naman, sa barangay, munisipyo sa mga city at sa mga probinsya," he added.
Cua said the leagues have asked for an additional ₱44 billion in LGSF allocation, noting that the amount would be distributed across 22 provinces, roughly 150 cities, 1,200 municipalities, and 42,000 barangays.
“Kung tutuusin hindi po gaano kalaki yung P44-billion, mas malaki pa nga ang flood control na P300-billion plus," he added.
Cua explained that the proposal is meant to serve as an initial measure to provide assistance to local governments so they can bridge the immediate needs of their communities.
The funds, he said, could be used for typhoon-hit areas, repairing damaged roads and buildings, supporting small community programs, filling classroom shortages, and other minor local projects.
He added that LGUs hope the 2026 national budget will allocate a larger share for local implementation. Cua noted that the LGSF allocation in past years ranged from ₱10 to ₱20 billion, but LGUs require more support.
“Nasa 10 to 20 billion noong mga nakaraang mga taon pero ngayon nakikita namin na baka pwedeng umabot na maging P44-billion. Magkaroon ng mas substantial na epekto at impact ng LGSF dahil hindi lahat ng mga programa ay nasasalo ng aming mga era. Hindi talaga sapat at itong karagdagan ay malaking maitutulong sa amin," he said.
He said Senator Sherwin Gatchalian immediately sponsored the proposal.
Cua stressed that any increased LGSF must come with strict monitoring to safeguard public funds.
“Gusto namin kung ano ang ibibigay sa amin na responsibilidad may kaakibat na monitoring system para sigurado na walang mawala sa taxpayer," Cua said.
“Sana maging mahigpit hindi lamang ang lokal na opisyal pati sana taumbayan maging mahigpit sa pagmamasid ng mga proyekto. Wakasin na natin ang ghost projects, ‘yung mga substandard," he noted.
He also acknowledged concerns about conflicts of interest involving some lawmakers and local officials with contractor backgrounds.
“Ang mga lumalabas na medyo nasasangkot na ang mambabatas na may history na kontratista hindi ko naman maitatago na mayroon din na mga Mayor at lokal na opisyal na contractor din dati o kasalukuyan. ‘Yun po ang maliwanag na mayroong conflict of interest. Sana doon makita rin ng taumbayan na tingnan natin ang ating mga nagsisilbi at pumili nang maayos at mahusay," he called on the public.
“Hindi naman lahat ng mambabatas, mayor, governor, contractor ay dishonest, ay hindi naman lahat pero mayroon talaga," he added.
