Jonathan Frederic De Santos

A mother and her child walks along one of the corridors of houses lined with large bkue water drums at the Sagonsongan Temporary Shelter Project in Marawi, May 21, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he is exploring ways to make the distribution of the National Tax Allotment to local government units more equitable, particularly by giving smaller LGUs more resources to spur development.</p><p>The NTA, which used to be called the Internal Revenue Allotment, is the share that local governments get from national tax collections based on a formula that factors in population, land area, and equal sharing.</p><p>Lacson noted that bigger and wealthier cities like Quezon City and Davao City get the biggest shares.</p><p>&quot;Sa maliit na munisipyo pagkaliit-liit, halos hindi nila maramdaman ang share nila sa NTA,&quot; he said.</p><p>(But very small towns&#x27; NTA shares are so small they can hardly feel its impact.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/24/share-of-lgus-from-national-tax-collections-to-rise-in-2027-recto-says-1337"><strong>Share of LGUs from national tax collections to rise in 2027, Recto says<br/></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;EXCESS&#x27; COLLECTIONS</strong></div><p>He said the allocation should be made &quot;a little more equitable&quot; by, for example, distributing &quot;excess&quot; collections to smaller LGUs.</p><p>&quot;Ibahagi natin sa maliit para may pagasa sila umasenso,&quot; he said.</p><p>(We can distribute it to the smaller LGUs so they have better chances of developing)</p><p>He said the Marcos Jr. administration should look into what he called a &quot;disconnect&quot; between wealthy LGUs and poorer ones.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/3/sc-asked-to-declare-inclusion-of-lgu-tax-allotments-in-2026-gaa-unconstitutional-1718"><strong>SC asked to declare inclusion of LGU tax allotments in 2026 GAA unconstitutional<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;Walang equitability, lalong naghihirap ang maliliit, lalong sobra sobra ang mayaman,&quot; he said.</p><p>(There is no equitability, so the smaller ones get poorer while the wealthy ones get so much.) <strong>— RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></p>

<p>Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he is exploring ways to make the distribution of the National Tax Allotment to local government units more equitable, particularly by giving smaller LGUs more resources to spur development.</p>

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he is exploring ways to make the distribution of the National Tax Allotment to local government units more equitable, particularly by giving smaller LGUs more resources to spur development.

Lacson seeks ‘more equitable’ tax share for smaller LGUs

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

Lacson seeks ‘more equitable’ tax share for smaller LGUs

ABS-CBN News

Published August 18, 2026 03:23 PM PHT

Read More:

National Tax Allotment

Local Government Units

Internal Revenue

Panfilo Lacson

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folder.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.