The implementation of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) is in accordance with the General Appropriations Act (GAA) approved by Congress, said Bataan 2nd District Representative and House Appropriations Committee Senior Vice-chair Albert Garcia during the House Plenary deliberation of the 2027 General Appropriations Bill on Wednesday.
Garcia, who sponsored the proposed 2027 budget for the Office of the President, said the Executive branch is merely implementing the LGSF based on the budget approved by both chambers of Congress.
“Ang LGSF po is part of the General Appropriations Act, which we (Congress) passed as having the power of the purse. So, ine-execute lamang ito ng Executive, headed by our President,” the bill sponsor noted.
Garcia emphasized that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) implemented the LGSF pursuant to its guidelines and is demand-driven, with local government units (LGUs) applying through an online portal for assistance.
“This is supported by jurisprudence, including a Supreme Court decision saying that the Local Government Support Fund is constitutional. So, the Executive is merely implementing the budget which was passed by both Houses of Congress,” the bill sponsor added
Garcia reiterated that the LGSF is authorized under the GAA and implemented according to the DBM circular governing the fund.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative has expanded nationwide, using the LGSF to deliver rice assistance, educational support, agricultural aid, and community development projects through local government units.
Last May, Malacanang reported that about 8,700 barangays have been served, with beneficiaries receiving regular rice assistance and other forms of government support. The program has also provided P200,000 to each barangay, including P100,000 for five Presidential Scholars at P20,000 each for educational assistance.
In Davao, the President led the distribution of nearly PhP133 million in agricultural machinery, farm inputs, and fisheries assistance benefiting around 9,708 farmers and fisherfolk, as well as the turnover of PhP113 million in Socio-Civic Projects Fund assistance to 565 barangays.
The administration expanded the LGSF in 2026 to support rice assistance, health facilities, disaster preparedness, and critical infrastructure. More than five million families are expected to receive 60 kilos of rice assistance. | PND
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