Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro joined other local chief executives at Malacañang Palace on Monday, Feb. 23, for the launch of the national government’s expanded Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) program.
The LGSF allocation for 2026 has grown by over P34 billion from last year, reaching P57.872 billion, marking the largest funding in the program’s history.
The fund aims to strengthen national support for local government units (LGUs) so that national progress translates into tangible benefits for Filipino families.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the role of LGUs in driving change at the local level.
He noted that local officials are often the first to understand problems and hear community concerns, making them crucial to implementing meaningful reforms.
Representatives from the league of governors, city mayors, and municipal mayors attended the event, including Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi Chan, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo.
The expanded LGSF will fund health infrastructure, including hospitals and health stations, medical equipment, and disaster-resilient multi-purpose halls and evacuation centers.
It will also support farm-to-market roads and local road networks, as well as water supply and electrification projects, to improve trade, reduce costs, and boost farmers’ incomes.
Marcos explained that reforms were implemented to reduce delays in fund releases. Under the new system, funds are directly released to LGUs, speeding up implementation and ensuring that local communities quickly benefit from national programs.
He also reported that about P1.19 trillion in National Tax Allotment has been released to LGUs for 2026 — more than 15 percent higher than in 2025 — increasing their capacity to fund needed programs.
Governor Baricuatro’s participation highlights Cebu’s commitment to aligning provincial initiatives with the national government’s agenda for inclusive and equitable development.
The LGSF launch emphasizes a strengthened partnership between national and local governments, ensuring resources reach communities efficiently and benefit ordinary Filipinos at the barangay and household levels. (with reports from Cebu PIO)
