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Lacson Seeks More Equitable Distribution of National Tax Allotments to LGUs

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is exploring ways to make the distribution of the National Tax Allotment (NTA) to local government units (LGUs) more equitable, particularly by giving smaller LGUs greater resources to spur development.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said that under the current NTA formula, smaller towns and provinces receive only a fraction of the allocations received by their bigger and wealthier counterparts.

“Kung sinong mayayaman at malalaking siyudad, ang laki ng NTA na nakukuha. For example ang nanguna Davao City and Quezon City, pumapalo sa P10 billion. Sa maliit na munisipyo pagkaliit-liit, halos hindi nila maramdaman ang share nila sa NTA (The bigger and wealthier cities receive huge allocations. For example, Davao City and Quezon City get a big NTA allocation – as much as P10 billion. But very small cities’ NTA shares are so small they can hardly feel its impact),” he said in an interview on DZXL radio.

“Ang problema, inequitability ng distribution, ng share ng LGU sa ating national revenues. Dapat siguro gawing equitable nang kaunti (The problem is the inequitable distribution of LGUs’ share in our national revenues. We must find ways to make it more equitable),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Naghahanap ng Mas Pantay na Pamamahagi ng National Tax Allotments sa mga LGU

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Lacson Questions ‘Uniform’ P180-Million Evacuation Center Allocations Per Region, ‘Ayuda’ in Proposed 2027 Budget

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday questioned a “uniform” P180-million lump sum allocation for evacuation centers in each of the country’s 17 regions totaling more than P3 billion – as well as an apparent heavy allocation for “ayuda” or social services – under the proposed 2027 national budget.

Lacson said his and his staff’s scrutiny of the National Expenditure Program showed the proposed evacuation center allocations lacked key details, including specific locations where they would be built.

“We observed that each of the 17 regions was given a P180-million lump sum for evacuation centers. There were no details on where they would be located. The P180 million was uniformly distributed to each region,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZXL radio.

“Was there any study to determine if a region needed more evacuation centers? There seemed to be none. That is not acceptable. There were no specifications or locations. Each of Regions 1 to 17 was simply given P180 million for a total of more than P3 billion,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson Kinuwestiyon ang Tig-P180M Alokasyon para sa Evacuation Center Bawat Rehiyon, ‘Ayuda’ sa Panukalang 2027 Budget

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Lacson: Without Clear Direction for Flood Control Program, Government Wasting More Taxpayers’ Money

Without a master plan or clear direction for its flood control program, the government risks wasting more taxpayers’ money, including the P107.4 billion earmarked for flood control under the proposed 2027 budget, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said this is one of the questions he will raise at the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) briefing, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 27.

“Are we following a flood management program? If not, we are just wasting money because we have no direction,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZXL radio.

“In the proposed 2027 budget, some P107 billion is earmarked for flood control projects. A good question to ask is, how will it be spent? Are there overall programs for this? If so, where are they?” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kung Walang Malinaw na Direksyon sa Flood Control Program, Masasayang Na Naman ang Pera ng Taumbayan

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Lacson: DPWH Guarantees Halt to Projects Tied to Illegal Reclamation in Taguig

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has guaranteed it will issue cease-and-desist orders to halt ongoing projects in Taguig City tied to illegal reclamation works there, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon “guaranteed” him the agency will immediately issue the cease-and-desist orders upon receiving the appropriate requests from the Philippine Reclamation Authority.

“Sec. Dizon guaranteed that once he receives the PRA’s request to issue cease-and-desist orders, he will issue them immediately,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“This will prevent the worsening of the situation where government money is wasted on contractors who are doing the wrong thing,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: DPWH, Ginarantiyahang Ihihinto ang mga Proyektong Kaugnay ng Ilegal na Reclamation sa Taguig

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Lacson Stresses Importance of Observing Time Limits Among Senator-Judges

Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Saturday stressed the importance of observing the agreed time limits for senator-judges during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Lacson, who himself observed the two-minute limit for senator-judges to ask questions from witnesses, said adhering to the agreed time limits is a matter of discipline, and would keep the proceedings orderly.

“Kailangan naming ipakita may discipline kami. Pag sinabing two minutes, dapat two minutes (We have to show that we have discipline. When we are given a two-minute limit, we must ask our questions within that limit),” he said in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Iginiit ang Kahalagahan ng Pagsunod sa Takdang Oras ng mga Senator-Judge

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