Robredo legacy: P1-B fund ready for performing LGUs

MANILA, Philippines – Good performance pays – that’s what the late Jesse Robredo wanted local government units (LGUs) to realize.

And the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which he headed until his death in 2012, hopes to make that possible through the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF).

The budget department announced on Thursday, September 5, the release of P1 billion PCF to subsidize the program of local governments that have earned the DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping, which Robredo started.

The Seal of Good Housekeeping has been given to LGUs that showed accountability and transparency in planning, resource mobilization, and financial management, among other things.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said in a statement that a province can avail itself of up to P7 million from the PCF; a city, up to P3 million; a municipality, up to P1 million.

LGUs with less funds will be prioritized, according to the statement. The P1 billion represents the PCF’s allocation for fiscal year 2013.

The PCF can subsidize the following:

• project that help attain the country’s Millennium Development Goals;
• projects that facilitate economic development;
• projects that address climate change and disaster preparedness;
• LGUs’ counterfund in foreign-assistant projects or projects with the private sector.

Abad said the program would encourage local chief executives to improve local services in line with national government’s own development projects.

The PCF is consistent with DILG Secretary Mar Roxas’ promise that he would continue Robredo’s programs in the department.

Robredo’s “crown jewel” of his work in local governance is the department’s Full Disclosure Policy (FDP), which requires local governments to disclose 12 crucial financial documents in public.

The FDP is required to get a Seal of Good Housekeeping.

Robredo’s widow, now Camarines Sur Rep Leni Robredo, recently proposed turning part of the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund into a performance-based incentive fund. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com