Mayors revive call for LGU autonomy

The mayors of Metro Manila are set to revive a call for more autonomy to local government units (LGUs), according to Pasay Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad.

"We should be able to have control and supervision in the implementation of infrastructure projects. There should also be a decentralization fire and jail departments to the LGUs," Trinidad told The STAR in a phone interview.

Trinidad, the spokesman of the Metro Manila Mayor’s League, said the mayors would prepare a resolution to formalize their call.

"We would be more hands-on because we are the ones on the ground," he said.

The mayors pointed out the national government has been performing the tasks of the LGUs, participating in matters which the mayors believe are their immediate concern.

Last year, local police supervision was transferred to the LGUs, which Trinidad noted was "not yet total."

The mayor emphasized that an autonomous LGU would eventually cut the usual government red tape or bureaucracy, bringing development to their respective areas faster.

Trinidad also said that district congressmen would have nothing to worry about mayors handling infrastructure projects.

"As long as there’s sincerity, I think that would be okay," he said.

Nevertheless, Trinidad pointed out that congressmen are not even supposed to have the Public Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), commonly known as the pork barrel, which is used mainly for infrastructure projects in their cities or towns.

Last year, Taguig Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tinga and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano fought over who would implement various infrastructure projects in their municipality in southern Metro Manila.

Such projects included schools, basketball courts and roads.

Cayetano claimed Tinga was blocking his projects, an allegation the mayor had repeatedly denied.