With KALINGA bill’s expected approval, Yamsuan urges LGUs to spend more on digitalization to better target beneficiaries of government aid

Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan has urged local government units (LGUs) to invest more in their digitalization efforts to better target beneficiaries of state-funded aid under a proposed measure that aims to shield Filipinos from oil price-driven surges.

This measure–House Bill (HB) 9305 or the Komprehensibong Alalay Sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo at Goods Assistance (Kalinga ) program–shall serve as the country’s ‘whole-of-government’ emergency response framework when such fuel price shocks happen in the future.

The bill includes provisions on the distribution of cash transfers, food assistance and other fuel-related aid to vulnerable households and sectors.

“Under the bill introduced by our Speaker (Faustino) Bojie Dy (III) and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, LGUs play a key role in identifying and validating the list of beneficiaries of government aid, as well in assisting in its distribution. With or without the Kalinga bill, modernizing LGU databases through digitalization will prevent confusion, duplication of names, and speed up the delivery of assistance to our beleaguered countrymen during times of fuel price-induced crises,” said Yamsuan, a former Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Kahit digitalized na sa level ng national government, kung ang mga LGUs naman ay napag-iwanan, hindi pa rin lubusang madarama ng ating mga kababayan ang impact nang mabilis at maayos na serbisyo na dala ng makabagong teknolohiya. Dapat nang maging handa ang mga LGUs para kung anuman ang dumating na krisis ay mabilis na maihahatid ang tulong sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.

(Even if we are digitalized at the national government level, if LGUs are left behind, our countryrmen won’t be able to feel the impact of fast and efficient service brought by modern technology. Our LGUs should be prepared so that in any crisis, they can quickly deliver assistance to our countrymen.)

Yamsuan, one of the principal authors of the Kalinga bill, issued the call following the House of Representatives’ expected approval on third and final reading of the measure before Congress adjourns session this week. Kalinga is a priority measure of the Marcos administration,. It has no counterpart bill in the Senate, which may either choose to use the House-approved bill to deliberate on the measure, or file its own version.

According to Yamsuan, LGUs can well afford to implement their respective digitalization initiatives with the record-high P57.88 billion financing support for their programs and projects through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) under the national budget for this fiscal year. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently expressed his plan to further increase allocations for the LGSF under Malacañang’s proposed National Expenditure Program for 2027.

Yamsuan said digitalizing LGU processes and services would not only fast-track and improve the delivery of government support and services “that are felt by the people” but would also enhance transparency and accountability at the local level.

“Also, allocating more funds to modernize government processes will help LGUs save time, cut costs and raise more revenues as taxpayers are encouraged to diligently pay taxes and fees online,” Yamsuan said.

Yamsuan noted that in his district, the digitalization initiatives carried out by his congressional office has significantly sped up the processing of applications and leveled the playing field for beneficiaries of government-funded programs and projects.

On top of making the application process more convenient, digitalization has also eliminated the ‘palakasan’ or ‘padrino’ system in availing of the benefits of government-funded programs.

The bulk of the P57.88 billion windfall for LGUs under the LGSF will go to the P37.49 billion Financial Assistance (FA) to LGUs, which local government executives can tap to speed up their respective digitalization initiatives, Yamsuan said.

“Making this crucial transformation a priority of LGUs will ensure that we don’t fall behind other countries who have embraced digitalization,” he added.

Under Local Budget Circular No. 169 issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), projects covered by the P37.49 billion FA to LGUs include the implementation of “Information and Communications Technology systems and infrastructure development, such as but not limited to, establishment of Integrated Business Permit and Licensing System, digitalization of payments for collections and disbursements, and purchase and installation of Closed Circuit (CCTV) Surveillance System.”