Tovic Salvador

Lawmakers take a selfie during the bicameral budget committee hearings for the 2025 national budget. Senate photo

Article (news)

Allison Co

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766014716102598019598_1416531860512166_7812189810547283433_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Lawmakers take a selfie during the bicameral budget committee hearings for the 2025 national budget. Senate photo</div>MANILA – The bicameral budget committee approved a P37-billion budget for the financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). This approved allocation is 28-billion higher than the initial proposal in the House General Appropriations Bill (HGAB).Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian  said the increase came from budget cuts imposed on other government agencies with low utilization rates. “We also saw some cuts from other departments particularly those with very low utilization rates, those with redundant programs so during the course of the bicam, we saw some departments we realigned some budget so that will be taken from those realignments and some cuts,&quot; he said.Both chambers agree on the benefit of the increased budget with Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Garcia saying this will be “money well spent” for the 42,000 barangays, 1400 municipalities, 140 cities and 82 provinces in the country.“I think this will be money well-spent… The LGUs ang nakukuha lang po niyang share is a mere 16-17 percent out of the entire national budget…Kaya maraming LGU ang nangangailangan and to think that they are at the frontline. Sila ‘yung first line of defense for our people.”Rufus Rodriguez, Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. and former vice governor of Misamis Oriental, said the move is in line with the Constitution.“The Local Government Support Fund fulfills the Constitutional mandate under Article 12 that says that the state should ensure local autonomy and this will be of disservice if the local governments do not have the sufficient funds to address the needs of (their constituents).”Senator Imee Marcos, who also previously served as the governor of Ilocos Norte, cited the need for a more simplified process of applying for LGSF which is a longstanding problem of LGUs.“Nananalangin ako na gawing mas simple ang mga requirement para sa LGSF. Madalas hindi nila sinasabi na meron palang allocation ang LGU at madalas hindi rin nila pinapadali kundi pinapahirapan pa ang mga LGU,” she added.Gatchalian also shared his experiences as a former mayor of Valenzuala City:“Matagal din ako naging mayor… Marami tayong binibigay na responsibilidad sa LGU pero wala naman tayong binibigay na budget,” he said.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NyAy4i0IODo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

The bicameral budget committee approved a P37-billion budget for the financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). This approved allocation is 28-billion higher than the initial proposal in the House General Appropriations Bill (HGAB).

The bicameral budget committee approved a P37-billion budget for the financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). This approved allocation is 28-billion higher than the initial proposal in the House General Appropriations Bill (HGAB).

Bicam approves P37B in financial assistance to local governments

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Bicam approves P37B in financial assistance to local governments

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 18, 2025 07:39 AM PHT

Read More:

lgsf

house of representatives

LGUs

national budget

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

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.