Role of Local Government

Role of the Local Government in Development

Edwin RB. GbargayeDiscussant/Presenter

Professor: Dr. Jo B. BitonioDM 215 Governance & Regional AdministrationPSU, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan

Structure & Function/Distinction

- Significant provision of RA 7160 - Issues and Problems in Decentralization

Region Provinces Cities Municipalities Barangays

NCR - 16 1 1,705 CAR 6 1 76 1,176 I 4 8 117 3,265 II 5 3 90 2,311 III 7 13 117 3,102 IV-A 5 13 129 4,011 IV-B 5 2 71 1,458 V 6 7 107 3,471 VI 6 16 117 4,051 VII 4 12 120 3,003

Region Provinces Cities Municipalities Barangays

VIII 6 4 139 4,390 IX 3 5 67 1,904 X 5 8 85 2,022 XI 4 5 44 1,162 XII 4 5 45 1,194 XIII (CARAGA) 5 3 70 1,310 ARMM 5 1 117 2,490 TOTAL 80 122 1,512 42,025

Source: NSCB 2010

Number of Capital Towns, Component Cities and Independent Component Cities

as of June 30, 2010

Section 76. of LGC of 1991Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern.

Every local government unit shall design and implement its own organizational structure and staffing pattern taking into consideration its service requirements and financial capability, subject to the minimum standards and guidelines prescribed by the Civil Service Commission

National Government

ARMM

5 Provinces

117 Municipalities

2490Barangays

MMDA

1 Municipalities16 Cities

Barangay Barangay

1 City

National Government

Province Highly Urbanized City

Component CityMunicipality

Barangay Barangay Barangay

Structure of Philippine Local Government Padilla: 1998

Structure of Philippine Local Government Padilla: 1998

The Role of the Local Government in Development

• The local government is also called the governments of the parts of a nation. Its levels vary according to the political pattern and experience of each and every nation like the Philippines. According to (Humes and Martin 1969), the state supervised units which can also be described as “infra-sovereign” local governments do not have any aspect of sovereignty.


• In unitary states like the Philippines the supervision over local governments is done by the national government.

• The UN defines local governments as “political subdivisions of a nation or state” (UN 1962); some authorities refer to them as “parts” of the government of a nation or state.


• This entails assessment of the resources, leadership potentials and administrative capabilities of the different levels of local government, which would be the basis for determining the powers, functions and services to be devolved to them.

• Local government officials, as earlier mentioned, make political decisions. Like earmarking revenues for different projects for the public good. These decisions generally take the form of ordinances.


On Development • National development is a good achieved through an effective partnership between the central and local governments, each one performing a service as an aspect of a function which it can adequately perform. • The local government code (LGC) devolves to all local units the administration of five basic services : agriculture, health, social welfare, maintenance of public works and highways, and environmental protection. What this means is that the appointment of persons performing these functions in their local areas is now done by the local chief executives. There salaries are also paid from local funds.


Revenue Generation

Local governments are authorized by law to impose certain taxes to support their activities. However, their main source of revenue is the internal revenue tax, which is shared by the national government with them. The Code raises their share of these taxes from 20 percent to 40 percent. It also modifies the sharing schemes by providing for the following: 34 percent to the municipalities, 23 percent to the cities, 23 percent to the provinces, and 20 percent to the barangays.


Revenue Generation

- Internal revenue allotments (IRA) are also divided according to other criteria: 50 percent by population, 25 percent by area, and 25 percent in terms of equal sharing. Local units impose the property realty tax, and much depends on their assessment and collection efficiency. They also tax business. Cities and municipalities impose the amusement tax. Barangay clearance is now needed before permits can be given by the cities and municipalities for businesses.

The MAJOR FEATURES Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the

Local Government Code of 1991

A. Sec. 17 of LGC of 1991, Basic Services and Facilities.

a. Local government units shall endeavor to be self-reliant and shall continue exercising the powers and discharging the duties and functions currently vested upon them. They shall also discharge the functions and responsibilities of national agencies and offices

devolved to them pursuant to this Code. Local government units shall likewise exercise such other powers and discharge such other functions and responsibilities as are necessary, appropriate, or

incidental to efficient and effective provision of the basic services and facilities enumerated herein.

Devolved Basic ServicesOn Health and Social Services:

1. include the implementation of programs and projects on primaryhealth care, maternal and child care, and communicable and noncommunicable disease control services;

2. Health services which access to secondary and tertiary healthservices;

3. Purchase of medicines, medical supplies, and equipment neededto carry out the services

4. Social welfare services which include programs and projects onchild and youth welfare, family and community welfare, women'swelfare, welfare of the elderly and disabled persons;

On Environmental Management:

1.Solid waste disposal system;

2. Services or facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation;

3. Implementation of community-based forestry projects which include integrated social forestry programs and similar projects;

4. Management and control of communal forests;

On Agriculture:

1.Inter -Barangay irrigation system;

2. Water and soil resource utilization and conservation projects;

3. Enforcement of fishery laws in municipal waters including the conservation of mangroves;

On Infrastructure:

1.Maintenance and Rehabilitation of the following:

a. roads and bridgesb. school buildings and other facilities for public elementary and secondary schools;c. clinics, health centers and other health facilitiesd. small water impounding projectse. fish ports; artesian wells, spring development, rainwater collectors and water supply systems;f. seawalls, dikes, drainage and sewerage, and flood control;g. traffic signals and road signs; and similar facilities;

On Tourism:

1.Tourism facilities and other tourist attractions;2. Acquisition of equipment;3. Regulation and supervision of business concessions; and4. Security services for such facilities

Devolved Regulatory Functions

Inspection of food products such as meat, fruits, poultry, milk, fish, vegetables and other foodstuffsAdoption of quarantine regulationsEnforcement of the National Building CodeRegulations of tricycle operations Regulation of the real estate tradeLicensing of cockpits

B. It granted the local government units the power to develop their own organizational structure staffing pattern and appoint officials wholly paid by the local governments;

Sec. 447. of LGC of 1991Powers, Duties, Functions and Compensation. –

a. The Sangguniang Bayan, as the legislative body of the municipality, shall enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the municipality and its inhabitants pursuant to section 16 of this Code and in theproper exercise of the corporate powers of the municipality as provided for under section 22 of this Code, and shall

(i) Review all ordinances approved by the SangguniangBarangay and executive orders issued by the PunongBarangay to determine whether these are within the scope of the prescribed powers of the sanggunian and of the Punong Barangay;

(vii) Subject to the provisions of this Code and pertinentlaws, determine the powers and duties of officials andemployees of the municipality;

(viii) Determine the positions and the salaries, wages,allowances and other emoluments and benefits of officials and employees paid wholly or mainly from municipal funds and provide for expenditures necessary for the proper conduct of programs, projects, services, and activities ofthe municipal government;

NEDA Board

RDC

BDC

CDC

MDC

PDC

DILG: 1992 The Government Planning HierarchyDILG: 1992 The Government Planning Hierarchy

The Local Government Code of 1991 provided the policy context forthe emergence of entrepreneurial local governments by encouragingLGUs to enter into joint ventures and partnerships with the privatesect6or such as build-operate-transfer arrangement and bondflotation.

Section 35 of the LGC of 1991Linkages with People's and Non-Governmental

Organizations. – Local

Government units may enter into joint ventures and such other cooperative arrangements with people's and nongovernmental organizations to engage inthe delivery of certain basic services, capability-building and livelihood projects, and to develop local enterprises designed to improve productivity and income, diversify agriculture, spur rural industrialization, promote ecologicalbalance, and enhance the economic and social well-being of the people.

Section 34 of the LGC of 1991Role of People's and Nongovernmental Organizations. – Local

Government units shall promote the establishment and operation of people'sand nongovernmental organizations to become active partners in the pursuit oflocal autonomy.

The Significant Provision of RA 7160(Local Government Code)

1.When the local government code of the Philippine was passed it was hailed as a giant step towards the increase of autonomy in the country (Cariño, 1998).

2.It is about the transfer of certain powers from national to local levels, increased the financial capacity of local government units, and give greater voice not only to local governments but to the people as well.

3.When Filipinos speak of devolution today they usually refer to the Code.

4. The essence of Devolution

5. The essence of Devolution6. Democracy and Decentralization7.Decentralization is the means for increasing democratic strides.8.Stresses the greater effectiveness of service delivery through

a decentralized system.9.Decentralized powers are utilized for more effective management.

The Significant Provision of RA 7160 (Local Government Code)

THE ISSUES/ CONCERNS

(a) The inadequacy of the internal revenue shares of the localgovernment units to meet the budgetary requirements ofthe devolved function, programs and projects;

(b) The continued lack of budgetary support from the nationalgovernment for the full implementation of devolvedtertiary health services;

(c) The interference of national government in personnel andfiscal management of eth local government units;

(d) The need to further broaden the tax base of the localgovernment units; and

(e) The need to devolve more power functions and programs.

Issues and Problems in Decentralization

•In the Phil decentralization is a strategy for development and democratization since the 1950s. This thrusts, however, have shifted over time. Decentralization in the past focused on deconcentration (administrative decentralization)

•Decentralization during the late eighties up to the present focused on devolution or political decentralization. The government had stepped up its decentralization efforts by emphasizing devolution.

Issues and Problems in Decentralization

• Under the LGC responsibility sharing and authority sharing, local governments were mandated to supplement or assist in the delivery of these functions.

• Decentralization changes have been made to pursue development and democratization goals.

• Privatization is another area of decentralization. It is a policy reform that disposes idle GOCCs. Its an economic and political benefit to national government.

Some of the Problems of Decentralization are:

• Political dynasty (elite dominated politics)• It encourages corruption

RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF LOCAL GOVRNMENT CODE OF 1991

Comparative Study Tour on Local Government Administration and Management

Development Academy of the Philippines, 2006

Reference:

End of presentation

Education

Role of Local Government