President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said the record-breaking PHP57.87-billion Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) for 2026 will accelerate the delivery of essential services at the grassroots level, as he formally launched the program “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” in Malacañang.

Speaking before governors, mayors, and local government league officials at Heroes Hall, Marcos emphasized that empowering local government units (LGUs) is key to ensuring that national progress is felt directly by communities.

“Today, this Administration launches ‘Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang,’ an initiative anchored on the principle that our local government must be empowered to respond to the needs of the people,” he said.

He underscored that local chief executives are at the frontline of governance.

“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 (As local chief executives, you are the first to feel the problems and the first to hear the grievances. Because you know the true situation in your communities, change begins with you),” Marcos said.

Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the LGSF was increased by PHP34.87 billion, bringing the total allocation to PHP57.872 billion, the highest in its history.

Marcos acknowledged that in the past, the fund operated largely under a demand-driven system that sometimes resulted in delays.

“Hindi maikakaila na minsan, mahirap at mabagal ang proseso… lalo na sa mga maliliit at malalayong mga LGUs (It cannot be denied that at times the process was difficult and slow… especially for small and remote LGUs),” he said.

He said reforms were introduced following consultations with local government leagues to streamline procedures and ensure quicker releases.

Among the priority programs funded under the LGSF is a rice assistance initiative that will provide more than five million Filipino families with 60 kilos of rice annually, or 10 kilos per month for six months.

The fund will also support the construction of hospitals and health stations, climate-resilient evacuation centers, farm-to-market roads, water systems, and electrification projects.

Marcos noted that about PHP1.19 trillion in National Tax Allotment has already been released to LGUs this year, over 15 percent higher than in 2025, further strengthening local fiscal capacity. (PNA)