CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is studying ways to expand the use of local government funds for flood mitigation in Pampanga, including the possible acquisition of dredging equipment by local government units. The proposal was discussed during Executive Secretary Ralph Recto's meeting with Governor Lilia Pineda, Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, and the province's 22 mayors.
A More Responsive Funding Mechanism
Recto said the national government is examining interventions that would allow LGUs to address flooding using resources suited to their respective communities. One key proposal is to include dredging equipment among the possible uses of the Local Government Support Fund, enabling local governments to clear silt from waterways and smaller water channels.
He described the proposed enhancement as "LGSF 2.0," explaining that the objective is not simply to continue existing assistance but to improve the mechanism and make it more responsive to local needs. The initiative reflects a broader push to give LGUs greater flexibility in tackling problems unique to their areas.
Pampanga's Allocations and Projects
Pampanga has a total LGSF allocation of P672 million, including P386 million for approved projects. These include a multipurpose building in Barangay San Roque in Mexico, hospital equipment purchases, road improvements and an evacuation center in Barangay Santa Catalina, Lubao, and hospital buildings in Arayat and Floridablanca.
At the barangay level, Pampanga's 505 barangays are covered by the Socio-Civic Projects Fund, with a total allocation of P101 million, or P200,000 per barangay. Requests cited during Recto's visit included computers for government transactions, monobloc chairs for community activities, and streetlights.
Education and Future Funding
Pampanga also has 2,525 Presidential Scholars under the program, while Angeles City has 165 scholars across its 33 barangays. These educational investments complement infrastructure spending by building long-term human capital across the province.
For 2027, the proposed National Tax Allotment for Pampanga's local governments is P25.826 billion, up by P2.528 billion or 10.9 percent from the P23.298 billion allocation for 2026. The proposed amount is broken down into P5.853 billion for the province, P5.734 billion for cities, P8.580 billion for municipalities, and P5.659 billion for barangays.
Accountability and Community Needs
Recto said the increased resources should translate into stronger basic services, including health facilities and medicines, assistance for senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities, feeding programs, and faster disaster response. He urged mayors and barangay officials to use government resources according to actual community needs and without political considerations.
The executive secretary emphasized that public funds should ultimately be converted into services and projects that directly benefit residents. His message underscored the administration's focus on transparency and efficient delivery of essential services at the grassroots level.
