The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday said the transfer of administration in the local government levels would not affect the full devolution of basic services and facilities from the national government to the local government units (LGUs).
DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III clarified that devolution was the result of the so-called Mandanas ruling of the Supreme Court in 2018 which expanded the LGUs’ internal revenue allotment share to cover all national taxes including those collected by the Bureau of Customs.
Meanwhile, some LGUs appeared to be jumping the gun on the turnover of administration to the incoming new officials who won in the recently concluded elections, Densing said. Other LGUs however were still preparing documents and setting dates for the changing of the guards.
“So far, nagmo-monitoring po tayo. Merong mga LGU na nakapagsimula na ng transition sa susunod na administrasyon nila. Yung iba naman, naghahanda pa ng mga dokumento at nag-i-schedule ng turnover,” Densing said at the Laging Handa public briefing.
According to Densing, newly elected local chief executives and other officials would begin their local government work by June 30.
The World Bank has said “the government faces a significant risk that the transition process could lead to a large gap in service delivery.”
The WB said a lack of coordination between the national and local government and weak implementation capacity could delay the transition towards increased decentralization.
According to Densing, the LGUs only have to brief the next administrations about the implementation of the devolution.
Densing also called on the public to report campaign materials that were still posted as the deadline for their removal has already passed.
“Kung ang ating mga kababayan meron pang area na hindi pa natatanggal ng inyong lokal na gobyerno itong mga campaign materials, pasabi na lang at papapuntahan namin kaagad,” he said.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año has urged LGUs and candidates alike to dispose of any campaign waste materials in their areas within three days.
Densing said LGUs that fail to remove all campaign materials in their areas will receive a notice from the department.
Citing an order from the Supreme Court, Densing said they cannot order the removal of campaign materials in private properties.
A day after the May 9 national and local elections, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), through its Operation Baklas, collected 98 tons or 28 truckloads of campaign materials.