Local government units are set to take a more active role in delivering essential services after national officials and governors aligned on the implementation of the ₱82.3 billion Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) during a meeting at Malacañang on February 19.
Twenty-nine provincial governors, along with 16 city and municipal mayors and seven representatives of governors, met with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to discuss the rollout of the fund, which has been earmarked ₱57.87 billion in the 2026 national budget.
The LGSF will finance projects identified and implemented by local government units (LGUs) under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, focusing on food security, health, education, infrastructure, and livelihood.
Funding for the LGSF was increased by ₱37.4 billion following the directive of President Bongbong Marcos, who emphasized tapping LGUs in project implementation to ensure development programs are delivered efficiently and on time.
Recto explained that the LGSF forms part of the ₱1.393 trillion national tax share allocated to provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays for 2026.
In pushing for the higher allocation, Recto said the President believes LGUs have the capacity, experience, and resources to implement national projects effectively.
“The President has repeatedly said that LGUs should not be passive recipients of national projects but must be active implementers,” Recto said.
