Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to strengthening local governments as he represented President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 2026 General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in Pasay City.
Recto delivered the President’s message before mayors and municipal officials gathered at the Marriott Hotel last Tuesday, where they discussed governance challenges and national government programs affecting local communities.
The LMP, led by its national president Mayor Faustino Dy V, of Echague, Isabela expressed appreciation for the Marcos administration’s Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) which provides direct financial assistance to municipalities’ infrastructure projects, public services, and development initiatives.
Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the LGSF was increased by P34.87 billion, bringing the total allocation to P57.872 billion, the highest in its history.
The fund is a key component of the national government’s effort to strengthen local government capacity and improve service delivery at the grassroots level, particularly in smaller municipalities with limited fiscal resources.
During the event, the LMP presented its policy recommendations on proposed reforms to the Local Government Code, which aims to further enhance local autonomy and improve coordination between national and local governments.
The league represents more than 1,400 municipal governments nationwide and serves as a platform for local officials to coordinate with national agencies on policy and development programs.
