By Jerome Carlo Paunan | February 23, 2026

MANILA (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. launched the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative Monday, unveiling a record-breaking 58-billion-peso fund to empower local government units to respond directly to community needs.

Speaking at Malacañan Palace’s Heroes Hall, Marcos said the program is anchored on the principle that local governments must have the resources to address issues raised by their constituents.

“Local chief executives are the first to hear the grievances of the community and are the starting point for national change,” the President said.

The administration increased the Local Government Support Fund for 2026 by more than P34 billion, bringing the total to approximately P58 billion, the highest in the fund’s history.

Marcos said the previous demand-driven system often resulted in bureaucratic delays that hindered small or remote local governments from receiving support. Under the new initiative, the government has streamlined the process to ensure funds reach local governments more quickly.

The President outlined several priority programs funded by the support fund:

To bolster food security, the program will distribute 60 kilograms of rice to over five million Filipino families, with each family receiving 10 kilograms of rice monthly for six months annually to improve nutrition and ease daily expenses.

For health, funds will build hospitals and health stations and provide medical equipment to make healthcare more accessible.

Also, for disaster resilience, the administration will support construction of multi-purpose halls and sports facilities designed to withstand powerful typhoons and earthquakes, serving as safe evacuation centers during disasters.

Moreover, for infrastructure and utilities development, the fund will support farm-to-market roads, local road networks, water supply systems and electrification projects using renewable energy.

In addition to the support fund, Marcos announced that P1.19 trillion in National Tax Allotment has been released to local governments for 2026, representing a 15% increase over 2025.

The President also highlighted a new agreement between national and local governments to accelerate classroom construction in communities nationwide.

“We will establish a New Philippines that is more ready for challenges, more open to opportunities, and more prosperous for the next generations,” Marcos said, calling for continued unity and integrity among public servants. 

For his part, Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized that the procedures are designed to guarantee that every peso delivers tangible public goods, such as roads, water systems, and food security, that citizens will notice in their daily lives. (JCO/PIA-NCR)