Marcos asks DBM to study projects as some LGUs incapable for full devolution

Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman holds a press briefing for Palace reporters on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Screengrab from RTVM

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to review the projects and programs that will remain with the national government as some local government units (LGUs) signified that they are not capable yet for full devolution.

Under Executive Order (EO) No. 138, the transition period before fully implementing the devolution of projects to the LGUs is until 2024.

READ: Think tank: LGUs not yet ready for devolution

“The President asked us to study this and maybe make an amendment po sa ating (to) EO 138,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a Palace press briefing on Tuesday.

READ: Marcos reviewing devolution order

“With our meeting this morning, we were tasked again by the President to sit and study the projects and programs po na iiwan natin sa national government — kasi national government lang po ang may kayang gawin itong mga proyekto na ‘to — at kung ano po ang mga proyekto naman na ide-devolve natin sa ating mga local government units po,” she added.

(With our meeting this morning, we were tasked again by the President to sit and study the projects and programs that will stay with the national government — because only the national government can do these — and what projects can be devolved to our local government units.)

Pangandaman said that LGUs have different “levels of capacity,” which is why others have difficulty implementing programs and projects despite sufficient funding.

The DBM secretary said they would focus on helping fourth- and fifth-class municipalities for the full devolution.

However, if the LGU is still not prepared for full devolution by 2024, the transition period may be extended, Pangandaman said.

je/abc