MANILA, Philippines — Municipal mayors have expressed full support for President Marcos’ development agenda that aims to push economic growth, generate employment and improve social services, especially in the countryside.
The President’s development goals, detailed in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, were discussed during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) National 2023 General Assembly Declaration at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday.
LMP national president Mayor Joseph Santo Niño Bernos of La Paz, Abra presented the league’s declaration of support to Marcos who graced this year’s assembly with the theme “Strengthening Municipal Capabilities Around Autonomy and Fostering Resiliency.”
In their declaration, the mayors reiterated their position and call “for strengthened complementation between the national and local governments as one of the cornerstones in achieving the national goal for actualized economic and social transformations to reinvigorate employment generation and accelerate poverty reduction.”
“This declaration, therefore, is a testament to our unwavering support of the Marcos administration’s development agenda and a show of our solid commitment to continuously partner with the national government, coupled with collaborative action and cooperation between local authorities, toward the shared goal of a better Philippines in 2028,” the LMP stated.
The group also appealed for the revision of the implementing rules and regulations of Executive Order 138 or the Full Devotion of Certain Functions of the Executive Branch to Local Governments to highlight the longer timeline implementation and give ample time for local governments to put in place transitory systems for full assumption of their roles and responsibilities prescribed under the approved Devolution Transition Plans.
At the same time, it urged the government to allow municipalities to make decisions and craft solutions that are localized, tailored fit and responsive to local needs and contexts.
“When local governments have the power to make decisions and the requisite resources, they can streamline services and respond appropriately and timely to identify the needs of localities and the people,” they said.
During the LMP assembly, Marcos affirmed his administration's support for the devolution of local governments.
In his speech, Marcos said the national government is reviewing Executive Order 138 because there are functions that are not for local government units.
He also cited the cooperation between the national and local governments to address the problems of Filipinos in every community.
The three-day conference, which ran from Feb. 21-23, highlighted the various challenges facing municipal mayors and the planned improvements to make service delivery more efficient in their localities.
The LMP was created through Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, which states that “there shall be an organization of all municipalities in the country that shall convert issues affecting municipal government management and formulate solutions.”
Part of the LMP’s powers, functions and duties is to “assist the national government in the formulation and implementation of the policies, programs and projects affecting municipalities in the country, promote local autonomy at the municipal level and supplement the efforts of the national government in creating opportunities for gainful employment within the municipalities.”