San Juan City Mayor and Metro Manila Council President Francis Zamora addressed recent claims by ACT Partylist Rep. Antonio Tiño that the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) could be used as a “pork barrel,” assuring that the program is intended to empower local government units (LGUs) and promote transparency in infrastructure and social projects.

In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Zamora explained that the LGSF, previously criticized for centralization under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is now being decentralized by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to give local governments more control over funding priorities.

“Ang Pangulo ay tinutupad lamang ang kanyang pangako to empower local government units at ito naman po ay bagay na consistently binabanggit po niya,” Zamora said.

“Dati po, very centralized ang pondo lalong-lalo na pagdating sa infrastructure at nakita naman po natin ang naging resulta,” Zamora added, noting that under Secretary Vince Dizon, the DPWH has become highly efficient and well-organized. But in previous years, issues arose which led to flood control anomalies.

Under the new system, LGSF allocations are downloaded directly to LGU general funds, with a “menu” of allowed uses set by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Eligible projects include hospital construction, purchase of medical equipment, farm-to-market roads, multipurpose buildings, evacuation centers, and rice subsidy programs.

The 57-billion-peso fund will be distributed to all municipalities, cities, and provinces in the country based on population data from the 2024 census. Zamora emphasized that population, not land area, determines each LGU’s allocation.

“Ang formula po na binabanggit sa amin ay base po sa census of population,” he said.

Zamora also addressed concerns about potential political bias, noting that elected officials from various political parties were present during a recent briefing at Malacañang.

“Hindi mo namang masasabing politika at sabi mong mga pro-administration lamang dahil... Elected officials from different political spectrums were there. They were present,” he said.

He added that decentralization will improve accountability and efficiency in project implementation such as the building of multiple classrooms.

“Isipin niyo kung gaano karaming classrooms magagawa natin. Kung sabay-sabay. At mas matutukan namin sapagkat kami naman po ang on the ground sa aming mga LGUs, mas mababantayan po natin yan.”

According to the DBM circular, LGSF funds have defined purposes and spending limits, including assistance for indigents. Zamora confirmed that every province, city, and municipality in the Philippines will receive an allocation.