Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson voiced dismay over the continued low adoption of local development projects in the proposed national budget for 2026.
Lacson said figures from the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) showed only 19.9 percent of the proposals from local development councils were adopted in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
He pushed for an adjustment of the schedules for the submission by local development councils of their local development programs to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
“I noticed that only 19.9 percent of projects proposed by the Local Development Councils were adopted in the NEP. It seems local development plans were neglected again,” he said in Filipino during the regular Senate session Monday afternoon.
In Filipino: Lacson Nadismaya sa Mababang Adoption ng Local Projects sa 2026 Budget
He said he had expected local development programs to make up the bulk of projects in the NEP. Or if not, at least 30 to 40 percent, he said.
Lacson, who champions the welfare of local government units (LGUs), said one cause of this is the schedule of submission of regional development councils. By the time the local development councils submit their proposals in October, the budget call, which starts in January, is long over.
Because of this, Lacson proposed that regional development councils finalize their proposals by the end of December, and submit them to the DBM in time for the budget call.
He pointed out that Regional Development Councils are in a good position to craft local development programs because their members include governors who know the needs and priorities of their constituents; and representatives from the DBM and Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev).
“That is already comprehensive,” he said.
*****
Lacson Nadismaya sa Mababang Adoption ng Local Projects sa 2026 Budget
Nadismaya si Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa patuloy na mababang adoption ng mga local development projects sa panukalang pambansang budget para sa 2026.
Ani Lacson, ipinakita ng datos mula sa Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) na 19.9 porsyento lamang ng mga panukala mula sa mga local development council ang naisama sa National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Nanawagan siya ng pagsasaayos ng iskedyul para sa pagsusumite ng mga local development program ng mga local development council sa Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
“Napansin ko na naman ang (project ng) Local Development Council na inadopt sa NEP, 19.9%. Parang nababalewala ang local development plans,” aniya sa regular na sesyon ng Senado nitong Lunes ng hapon.
Inaasahan umano ni Lacson na ang mga local development program ang bubuo ng malaking bahagi ng mga proyekto sa NEP, o kung hindi man, aabot man lang sa 30 hanggang 40 porsyento.
Bilang matagal nang tagapagsulong ng kapakanan ng mga local government unit (LGU), binanggit ni Lacson na isa sa mga dahilan ng mababang adoption ay ang iskedyul ng pagsusumite ng regional development councils. Kapag nai-susumite ng local development councils ang kanilang mga panukala sa Oktubre, tapos na ang budget call na nagsisimula sa Enero.
Dahil dito, iminungkahi ni Lacson na tapusin ng mga regional development council ang kanilang mga panukala bago matapos ang Disyembre, at isumite ang mga ito sa DBM bago magsimula ang budget call.
Binigyang-diin din niya na nasa magandang posisyon ang mga Regional Development Council para bumuo ng local development programs dahil kabilang sa kanilang mga miyembro ang mga gobernador na nakakaalam ng pangangailangan at prayoridad ng kanilang mga nasasakupan; gayundin ang mga kinatawan mula sa DBM at Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev).
“Comprehensive na yan,” aniya.
*****