Decentralization and Governance - Decentralization

Summary

The Local Government Code of 1991 in the Philippines decentralizes power and resources to local governments, enabling them to create specific actions to address local issues and contribute to national policy development. This decentralization aims for flexibility, efficiency, innovation, and greater commitment from local stakeholders. Local governments are responsible for promoting general welfare, including culture, health, safety, economic prosperity, and social justice. They are supported by Internal Revenue taxes, with 40% allocated to them, distributed based on population and land area. The success of towns and municipalities depends on the leadership of local government officials, who must organize development councils and utilize available resources effectively.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Local Government Code of 1991 is a pivotal legislation that distributes power, resources, and responsibilities from the national government to local governments.
• 🌐 Decentralization is aimed at enhancing flexibility, efficiency, innovation, and commitment by allowing local governments to understand and respond to local issues effectively.
• 📜 Local governments are tasked with creating specific actions to address local issues and contribute to the development of national policies.
• 👥 Local Government Units (LGUs) have the authority to exercise powers necessary for their governance and the promotion of general welfare within their jurisdiction.
• 🏡 Section 16 of the code emphasizes the general welfare responsibilities of LGUs, including preserving culture, promoting health and safety, and enhancing economic prosperity and social justice.
• 🌱 LGUs are expected to support various sectors such as ecology, technology, public morals, and employment to improve the quality of life for their residents.
• 🔑 The success or failure of a town or municipality largely depends on the leadership of the local government officials.
• 💼 The code mandates the organization of development councils at various levels, such as barangay, municipal, city, and regional, to facilitate local development.
• 💵 Revenue from Internal Revenue taxes is shared between the national government and LGUs, with 40% allocated to the latter, which is then distributed among provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.
• 🏗️ LGUs can seek additional funding from the national government and engage with their congressional representatives to address budgetary needs for public works and development projects.

Q & A

What does the Local Government Code of 1991 aim to achieve?

The Local Government Code of 1991 aims to devolve and decentralize power, resources, and responsibilities from the national government to local governments, allowing for more flexibility, efficiency, innovation, and commitment to local issues.

How does decentralization benefit local governments?

Decentralization benefits local governments by enabling them to respond quickly to unique and changing needs, fostering innovation since they know the local situation best, and enhancing commitment and ownership as they are the main stakeholders on the ground.

What are the general welfare responsibilities of local government units as stated in Section 16?

Local government units are responsible for ensuring and supporting the preservation and enrichment of culture, promoting health and safety, ensuring the right of the people to finance, ecology, encouraging scientific and technological capabilities, improving public morals, enhancing economic prosperity and social justice, promoting full employment, and maintaining order and preserving the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.

What is the significance of the phrase 'you are the game changers' in the context of the script?

The phrase 'you are the game changers' signifies that local government officials have the power and responsibility to make significant changes in their respective towns or municipalities, impacting the success or failure of their communities.

What is the role of the mayor in the decentralization process?

The mayor plays a crucial role in the decentralization process by being responsible for the success or failure of their town or municipality, organizing development councils, and ensuring the effective use of resources and authority.

What types of development councils are mentioned in the script?

The script mentions the existence of barangay development councils, municipal development councils, city development councils, and regional development councils.

How is the Internal Revenue tax distributed between the national government and local government units?

Sixty percent of the Internal Revenue tax goes to the national government, while forty percent is divided among local government units, with provinces receiving 30 percent, cities 33 percent, municipalities 54 percent, and barangays 20 percent.

Can local governments ask for assistance from the national government?

Yes, local governments can ask for assistance from the national government and can convince their Congressman to focus on specific needs such as public works or education.

What is the importance of organizing development councils in the context of decentralization?

Organizing development councils is important for decentralization as it allows for local participation in decision-making, ensures that local needs are addressed, and facilitates the efficient use of resources and authority.

What does the script imply about the relationship between local government units and their constituents?

The script implies that local government units have a direct relationship with their constituents, being responsible for their welfare and development, and that their actions significantly impact the lives of the people in their jurisdiction.