Devolution, a challenge to LGU leaders

DAVAO  DE ORO, Sept. 28 (PIA)—“Dako ni siya nga trabaho (This is an enormous task) but we have to bite the bullet,” Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Alex Roldan said as he pointed out the need to start next year the rollout of Executive Order 138 implementing a “full devolution of   certain functions of the executive branch to local governments.”

 

Signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD), E.O. 138 came about with the Supreme Court Mandanas ruling,  granting local governments substantial shares from the income of  the national government, on top of  internal revenues.

 

E.O. 138  says  that “shares of LGUs from the national taxes is expected to significantly  increase starting calendar year 2022 in line with the implementation  of the Mandanas ruling”.

 

Roldan explained further that funding resources due for downloading to LGUs will include those allocated to national line agencies which are now required to transfer most functions to LGUs within three-year period, as defined in their respective Devolution Transition Plan (DTP).

 

With substantial resources given to LGUs along with  the devolution of functions, LGUs are seen capacitated to chart their own course of development.

 

“Mao kini ang gihandum sa kadaghanan nga ma devolved na ang most functions of the central government ngadto sa local (This is what some have aspired that most functions of the central government be devolved to the local),” Roldan said during  the recently held Pamana ng Pagbabago online InForum hosted by  Davao de Oro Provincial Governor’s Office.

 

“Kami sa  DILG nagatoo nga ang kalambuan sa nasod dapat manukad   gikan sa kanya kanyang localidad. (We in the DILG believe that the progress of nation should emanate from the locality),” he added.

 

LGUs would then gain  a free hand to decide on programs and projects to  pursue that they see fit  in  their respective localities.

 

However, Roldan explained that the devolution would also be a challenge to deal with by the new set of local chief executives who are expected  to have a grasp on local development management and to observe high degree of “accountability  and transparency”.

 

“Mas nearer sa mga tawo ang pag tan-aw  kung mayo ba ang pagkahimo (looking at how projects are done would now get nearer the public),” Roldan said in explaining people’s participation to local development.

 

This will consequently make local chief executive more accountable because they can no longer pass on to the national government  their project implementation.

 

“Mea culpa mea culpa na man.. (it would then be my sin, my sin); you  cannot blame it on others,” Roldan said.

 

Meanwhile, Roldan viewed E.O. 138  as one of the significant legacies of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who has a  grasp on local governance.

 

“Naka realize sya nga ang key sa pag-develop sa mga localidad (he has realized that the key to develop localities) is to give the local authorities the mandate to plot the path of development of his/her jurisdiction,”  Roldan said. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron Abangan)