Cebu gets P300 million for food, infra programs

Local

CEBU’S food assistance programs and infrastructure improvements got a needed boost after the province received P300-million funding boost from the national government.

The allocation will support immediate food assistance and infrastructure improvements across key municipalities, aiming to benefit tens of thousands of residents while improving local connectivity.

The funding comes under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), a national program that empowers local governments to implement development projects directly.

The LGSF allows provinces, cities, and municipalities to identify their priority programs in areas such as food security, health, education, infrastructure, and livelihood development.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro received the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) during a visit to Malacañang Palace on Monday, Feb. 23.

The release allows Cebu to immediately proceed with the implementation of identified programs and priority interventions.

Also present at Malacanang were Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi King-Chan, Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas, and Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong, highlighting a coordinated effort among provincial and city leaders.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces explained that Cebu initially requested P750 million in assistance but was approved for P300 million.

“Half of the allocation, amounting to P150 million, will be used for rice assistance that will benefit around 30,000 families across 10 local government units,” he said.

Each beneficiary household is expected to receive 10 kilograms of rice, providing immediate support for families in need and reinforcing food security in the province.

The remaining P150 million will fund priority infrastructure projects, particularly road improvements and farm-to-market roads.

The projects target municipalities such as Sogod, Tabuelan, and Tuburan, areas identified as needing better connectivity to support agriculture, facilitate delivery of basic services, and boost local economic activity.

Empaces described the LGSF as a newly emphasized national program designed to strengthen the capacity of local governments, particularly fourth- to sixth-class municipalities that rely heavily on external funding.

“This is new and this is important. Why? Since LGUs knows best, makahibaw unsay problem,” he said.

He added that many local governments already have development plans but struggle to implement them due to limited resources.

“Mostly naay plano ang LGU pero di ma fundan kay limited kaayo ang NTA (National Tax Allotment) or limited ang revenue generation so kani pud empowering local government unit gives premium to the fact LGU can fast track implementation,” Empaces said.

The LGSF is part of a broader national strategy to empower local leaders to manage projects directly.

During the program rollout, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized that bringing development programs closer to communities ensures faster and more efficient delivery of basic services.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, who led a meeting with 29 provincial governors, 16 city and municipal mayors, and seven representatives of other provincial executives on Feb. 19, reinforced the administration’s commitment to local empowerment.

Recto noted that of the P82.3-billion fund for local projects this year, P57.88 billion is allocated to the LGSF under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. Funding for the LGSF was increased by P37.4 billion following President Marcos’ instructions to expand the role of LGUs in implementing projects.

“In ordering a hike in the LGSF allocation, President Marcos believes that LGUs have the capacity, experience, and means to implement national projects,” Recto said.

He emphasized that LGUs should not merely receive national projects but actively carry them out, ensuring services reach communities more efficiently.

Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the LGSF budget increased to P57.872 billion, marking the largest allocation in the program’s history.(MyTVCebu)