Governors laud Sen. Bam's support to LGUs, constituents

The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) has found a dependable ally in Sen. Bam Aquino when it comes to the welfare of local government units (LGUs) and their constituents.

Recently, the LPP thanked Sen. Bam for working to restore around P2.358 billion in Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for LGUs in the 2019 national budget.

In its GA Resolution No. 2019-01 dated February 27, 2019, the LPP acknowledged Sen. Bam's role in restoring the budget that was scrapped after the issuance of Department of Budget and Management's Local Budget Memorandum 77-B that that significantly decreased the IRA of 70 provinces.

"Sen. Bam Aquino fully supported the LGUs' appeal to restore the P2.358 Billion IRA decrease and sponsored the proposed amendment of the LPP in the general provision on the IRA," the resolution said.

The resolution was signed by LPP secretary general Edgar Chatto, national chairman Al Francis Bichara and national president Ryan Luis Singson.

The LPP requested Sen. Bam, as vice chairman of the Committee on Finance, to help restore at least P1.475 billion to cover the IRA decrease due to DBM'S memorandum.

However, in his speech during the LPP's general assembly, Sen. Bam said he requested the Committee on Finance to include the entire amount of P2.358 billion.

"Lahat kami sa Senado ay handang tumulong para matiyak na matutugunan ng local government units ang mga isyu at problemang hinaharap ng pamilyang Pilipino sa inyong mga lalawigan at probinsiya," said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam also announced during the assembly that the IRA for 2019 has been raised to P575.5 billion, significantly higher than last year's IRA of P522.7 billion.

"Dahil sa mas mataas na IRA, mas masisiguro na tuluy-tuloy ang takbo ng mga serbisyo ng lokal na pamahalaan, tulad ng mga ospital at health centers, social welfare, agri and environmental services sa inyong mga lugar," said Sen. Bam.

With a higher IRA, Sen. Bam said the amount that can be allocated to development projects and disaster reduction and management will also increase.

In addition, Sen. Bam said LGUs can earmark more funds for the establishment of Special Drug Education Centers, which he believes is a more effective solution in addressing the drug menace in the country.

Sen. Bam, for his part, acknowledged the support of Sen. Loren Legarda and Cong. Rolando Andaya, respective Chairpersons of both panels, for agreeing to heed this request.