Negros Occidental officials welcome the assurance that the House of Representatives will grant bigger National Tax Allotments to local government units (LGUs).
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez last week assured that the Lower House would heed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for local government units to get a bigger share of the national budget.
Romualdez said the House of Representatives is deliberating bills that would increase the national tax allotment for LGUs.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Sunday, March 3, that “it is a recognition of the role of LGUs in nation building. I hope it is in addition to what the Mandanas-Garcia ruling benefitted the LGUs.”
Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives, said the promise for increased NTA shares for LGUs is very positive.
“That is very positive because as we know there is a devolution transition plan but we need also a devolution of funds,” he said.
“I am in favor of that and I am sure many LGUs will also be in favor of that…so hopefully it happens”, Benitez said.*