Dispersing governance stays top Ping agenda
It’s better if these go directly to the LGU, the national government should just devolve it
Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Sunday reiterated his call for the devolution of funds and functions to local government units (LGU).
The lawmaker said this was among the concerns raised to him by sectoral leaders in the provinces where he recently held campaign rallies.
Devolution or decentralization is at the heart of Ping’s flagship Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) program.
Ping believes that his proposal would solve many of the problems that LGU currently face and would be a cornerstone of his presidency.
In contrast, present national leaders believe these woes can only be answered by adopting a federalism form of government.
Fruits of Mandanas ruling
“It’s better if these go directly to the LGU, (the national government should) just devolve it. What’s happening is that even if the functions are devolved and they get additional funds under the Mandanas ruling, there are so many items in the menu that they (LGU) did not have a say on, and that’s what they’re complaining about,” Ping said.
“We should really devolve. It’s like Federalism but not Federalism. We just really empower, let’s maximize the role of the local government units. I think we’ll be good as a country,” he added.
Ping explained that once both functions and funding are handed down to the LGU, the national government must guide local officials in their proper use and execution through regional and provincial offices of different agencies.
Ping holds hope
“Coordination is the key, but the problem is everything is so centralized. So, you’d hear the complaints of the end-users themselves, the ones who should be benefitting from (funding and programs) but are not, he said.
Moreover, despite his low ranking in pre-campaign surveys, Ping remains optimistic about his chances of winning buoyed by the positive reception he is getting from supporters to his proposed policies aimed at eliminating corruption and installing a more responsive government.
Ping said he, running-mate Senate President Tito Sotto, and their senatorial candidates would continue their interactive campaign strategy to win voters to their side regardless of what pre-election surveys show.
“I feel upbeat because what we see on the ground does not seem to reflect what the surveys are saying. That’s how I feel and the feeling is the same for Senate President Sotto,” he said.
“So, let’s see. Because, af ter all, the presidency is destiny and it’s a calling. If you are not called to it, then you really cannot serve. But if you are destined to play that role, certain events are always bound to happen that will take you in that direction, he added.
Ping hopes his team’s issues-based campaign would resonate among the greater majority of Filipino voters.