IBA, Zambales — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Zambales is paving the way for the full transfer of power and resources to local government units (LGUs), as mandated by the 1991 Local Government Code.

DILG-Zambales facilitated a three-day orientation workshop on the formulation of Capacity Development Agenda (CapDev) for LGU Capacity Development Committees from the 13 municipalities and the provincial government of Zambales on October 6-8 via Zoom meetings platform.

Provincial Director Armi V. Bactad said activity was designed to fully prepare the LGUs as they transition to full devolution through the initial step of looking into their capacities in performing the devolved duties and functions.

The formulation of the CapDev Agenda plays a critical role in helping local officials map out their capacity development interventions to achieve desired results, she added.

“Let this be your torch that will serve as a guide to ensure that we would be part of the progress we seek for our community and the LGUs we work for,” Bactad reminded the participants. “We have been chosen for these positions we now occupy because we have a mission, and that is to guarantee that our fellow citizens will benefit from good governance.”

“We are also in the position to ensure that these plans are implemented to improve the lives of the people that we serve,” Bactad added.

The devolution program is expected to be realized next year following the signing of Executive Order No. 138 by President Rodrigo R. Duterte early this year. This will include the full devolution of basic services and facilities from the national government to LGUs, including the increased share of LGUs in all national taxes and revenues.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said EO 138 will ensure that the policy of decentralization as enshrined in the Constitution and the Local Government Code, as well as the increase in just share in national taxes for LGUs as provided for in the Mandanas-Garcia ruling of the Supreme Court (SC), will be carried out systematically and smoothly.

In Mandanas et al. v. Executive Secretary et al. case, the Supreme Court held that all collections of national taxes, except those accruing to special purpose funds and special allotments for the utilization and development of the national wealth, should be included in the computation of the base of the just share of the LGUs.

The Local Government Code of 1991 has mandated the devolution of basic services to LGUs, which are considered to be in a better position to address the needs of their constituents and can therefore deliver better services.

The orientation-workshop was attended by local chief executives, vice mayors, local administrators, department heads, and Liga ng mga Barangay presidents from the 13 Zambales LGUs.

The municipal local government operations officers served as main resource persons and coaches throughout the conduct of the activity and walked the participants through the key steps in the CapDev process which involves analyzing the factors that contribute to the performance of the LGU, assessing their capacities, and planning out and prioritizing their interventions. — Rose Ann Agostosa, Paulin Johanne Reyes, Aljon Bautista