Reformist local leaders back record LGSF boost but say transparency will define its success.
Photo courtesy: Mayors for Good Governance
MANILA (February 27) — The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) has expressed strong support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to raise the 2026 Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to ₱57.872 billion — the largest allocation in the program’s history.
In a statement Wednesday, the group said the expanded fund recognizes the frontline role of local government units (LGUs) in delivering essential services and addressing community needs.
“This significant increase affirms the vital role of local governments in delivering services that matter most to our people,” M4GG said.
Marcos ordered the direct release of the funds during the Feb. 23 launch of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program at Malacañang, attended by governors and mayors from across the country. The initiative seeks to ensure that national support is felt immediately and equitably at the grassroots level.
Faster classrooms, localized delivery
The group also welcomed the downloading of funds to LGUs for school construction under the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program Act, to be implemented in coordination with the Department of Education.
M4GG said empowering LGUs to directly implement school infrastructure projects could accelerate classroom construction, ease congestion, and ensure facilities respond to actual community needs.
Accountability at the core
While supportive, the mayors stressed that transparency and integrity must anchor the rollout of the expanded funding.
“If implemented with transparency, accountability, and integrity, this move can meaningfully contribute to restoring public trust in government institutions,” the group said.
M4GG convenors include Benjamin Magalong, Vico Sotto, Joy Belmonte, and Sitti Djalia Hataman.
The group said it is ready to work with the national government to ensure the 2026 LGSF strengthens local autonomy and delivers measurable, corruption-free results on the ground.
