Press Release
January 19, 2018

NANCY: IMPLEMENT LOCAL GOV'T CODE FIRST BEFORE FEDERALISM
...says people need to know pros, cons of new form of govt

Senator Nancy Binay said lawmakers should first look at how to properly implement the Local Government Code before considering amending the constitution and shifting to a federal form of government.

In an interview in Cebu, Binay said issues like decentralization and strengthening local autonomy are better addressed by strictly implementing the Local Government Code.

"Mas ako ang panawagan ko i-implement muna natin ang Local Government Code kasi iyon ang lumabas sa hearing kahapon na kumbaga common complaint ay hindi inimplement fully ang Local Government Code," Binay said.

"Actually, more than amending, implementing e. Yun yung nakakalungkot sa atin, kasi yung parang mga ginagawang batas suggestion. Hindi siya iniimplement by not funding it, so di ba, andyan yung batas pero walang pondo, so wala lang, suggestion lang yung batas," she added.

Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code was enacted in 1991 to decentralize governance and allow autonomy for local government units.

According to Article X Section 3 of the Constitution, the Local Government Code is enacted to provide for a more responsive and accountable structure of local government.

Binay said that while the Local Government Code devolved powers to local governments, some of its key features remain unimplemented.

"Siguro baka kailangan magdownload pati yung funding ibigay na natin sa LGU. And then tingnan natin by empowering them by funding them kung makakapagdeliver sila. Siguro kung magkaroon ng failure, saka natin tignan baka it's high time to make changes," she said.

Binay also said lawmakers should not rush towards Charter Change and underscored the need for an intensive public consultation and information campaign to help people understand the pros and cons of new form of government.

"Personally, magandang pag-usapan pero para sa akin mahabang proseso. Huwag nating madaliin. Dapat talaga himayin. Kung papalitan natin iyong Konstitusyon, ano yung dapat palitan. Kailangan ba magchange tayo ng form of goverment or may certain provisions lang doon na i-aammend?" she added.

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