Quezon City vows transparent use of LGSF

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has committed transparency in the use of funding it will receive from the national government through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

“The local government assures the public that the funds allocated to the city will be used to further enhance various projects directly benefiting QCitizens,” city hall said over the weekend.

“The city government guarantees the proper and transparent management of the funds. Every centavo will be used for the benefit of the public,” it added.

Mayor Joy Belmonte was among the local officials who attended the launching of “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative at Malacañang on Feb. 23.

Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo as well as Belmonte’s fellow convenors of Mayors For Good Governance – Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto and Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong – also attended the event.

During the launch, President Marcos announced the allocation of almost P58 billion for projects under the LGSF, including the Financial Assistance to LGUs, Growth Equity Fund, the Support to the Barangay Development Program for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting.

This year’s LGSF budget was more than double compared to last year.

Local government units must apply for specific projects and initiatives or meet certain requirements to be able to access the funds.

In a statement, Quezon City said it “believes that devolving these funds to LGUs is a positive step to ensure the swift and effective implementation of programs such as the construction of essential infrastructure, strengthening medical services, disaster preparedness and others.”