President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aims to strengthen the government’s priority programs by expanding funding for local government units (LGUs), which he said are more aware of the needs and concerns of their constituents.

On Monday, February 23, at Malacañang, the President launched the initiative “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang,” during which the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) was expanded.

“Una, tinaasan natin ng mahigit 34 na bilyong piso ang ating LGSF para sa 2026. Kaya’t sa kabuuan nito, umabot na ang pondong ‘yan sa halos 58 bilyong piso, pinakamataas sa buong kasaysayan ng LGSF (First, we increased our LGSF by more than ₱34 billion for 2026. In total, the fund has now reached nearly ₱58 billion — the highest in the history of the LGSF),” the President said in his speech before officials and members of the League of Provinces, League of Cities, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and other government officials.

The President also stated that the release of the LGSF will be accelerated and will go directly to each local government.

“Ginawa namin ito dahil sa pagkilala na ang pangangailangan ng tao, gaano man kaliit o gaano kalaki ay hindi pa naghihintay pa (We did this in recognition that people’s needs, no matter how small or how big, cannot wait).”

“Upang matiyak na ang bawat sentimo ng pondo ay malinaw ang direksyon, nagtakda tayo ng mga prayoridad na programa na magpapalakas ng ating mga sektor (To ensure that every centavo of public funds has a clear direction, we have identified priority programs that will strengthen our sectors)” the President added, citing additional rice assistance, improved health facilities, enhanced disaster preparedness, and upgrades to critical infrastructure such as electricity and water supply systems.

Funds are also allocated for the development of farm-to-market roads and local road networks to facilitate trade, help reduce the prices of goods, and increase farmers’ income.

The program will also finance improvements in water supply systems and electrification projects. 

“Mababawasan nito ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan, kung saan kukuha ng malinis na tubig o kaya naman, kung ligtas ba ang kanilang komunidad pagka gabi (This will lessen our people’s worries about where to get clean water or whether their communities are safe at night),” the President said.

According to the President, the government has already released an estimated ₱1.19 trillion in National Tax Allotment for LGUs for 2026, which is 15 percent higher than in 2025. This will further enhance the capacity of local governments to fund their programs.

In conclusion, President Marcos encouraged everyone to take part so that the projects in their communities can be realized, and to become partners of the government in ensuring that public funds truly benefit every citizen.