Around PHP82 billion in development funds will be rolled out for the implementation of local government unit (LGU) projects in 2026, Malacañang said on Saturday.

The meeting, attended by other Palace officials and 29 provincial governors, aimed to flesh out the implementation of the local projects this year, the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) said.

“They were joined by 16 city and municipal mayors and seven representatives of governors in discussing the rollout of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), a direct-to-LGU allocation which has been earmarked PHP57.88 billion in 2026 national budget,” the OES said.

The LGSF finances priority local projects, such as roads, evacuation centers, health facilities and climate-resilient infrastructure. It will bankroll projects to be identified and implemented by LGUs, based on a menu of programs enumerated in the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

The OES said the projects focus on the development of key priorities, including food security, health, education, infrastructure and livelihood.

Funding for LGSF was increased by PHP37.4 billion, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to tap LGUs in project implementation to ensure the timely delivery of programs.

Recto said the LGSF is only a small part of the huge PHP1.393 trillion national tax share of cities, provinces, towns and villages for 2026.

“President Marcos believes that LGUs have the capacity, experience and means to implement national projects,” he said.

“The President has repeatedly said that LGUs should not be passive recipients of national projects but must be active implementors of the same,” Recto added. (PNA)