The increased financial capacity of local government units (LGUs) following the implementation of the Mandanas ruling will better equip them for responding to emergencies, such as the emission of volcanic smog (vog) from Taal.
In an interview on Tuesday, Dr. Froilan Calilung, director of the Local Government Development Institute, said the additional resources could be channeled into the development of robust early warning systems and fortify critical structures, such as evacuation centers.
“Strengthening local response capabilities is pivotal for swift and efficient interventions during crises,” Calilung said.
Advanced monitoring technologies, such as sensors and satellite imaging, can be deployed to provide timely alerts about volcanic activities, enabling residents to evacuate promptly and authorities to initiate emergency measures effectively, according to him.
Additionally, constructing resilient roads and bridges facilitates smoother evacuation processes and accelerates the delivery of aid to affected areas.
Calilung said with the increased financial autonomy, these localities could strategically allocate funds to various facets of disaster management.
Meanwhile, he said the next few years are pivotal for orchestrating a dynamic and robust recovery that propels the nation toward economic rejuvenation and sustained growth.
Calilung, who is also a professor at the University of Santo Tomas, said the unified stance of LGUs across the nation in support of the Mandanas ruling carries profound significance for its effective implementation.
He is positive that when LGUs endorse the ruling, they are essentially advocating for a more substantial retention of funds within their localities.
The support of the LGUs signifies a collective commitment to nurturing local development, fostering resilience, and fortifying the capacities of governance at the grassroots level.
“To distill this concept for ordinary citizens, envision it as an investment in the community’s well-being,” he said.
In a separate interview, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas said the “spirit” of the Supreme Court ruling would be given to the people and coursed through the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays in the country.
“The LGUs are close to the people and can immediately provide for their daily needs, such as our social welfare, health, education, livelihood, agriculture, tourism, and during disaster response efforts,” he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The renewed emission of vog that persisted for weeks caused skin irritation and breathing difficulties to the locals and forced schools from different towns to suspend the conduct of face-to-face classes.
Mandanas, who chairs the Calabarzon Regional Development Council, said the primary assistance could be given to the citizenry in a faster and more orderly manner under the supervision of their respective LGUs.
In 2018, Mandanas and then Congressman Enrique Garcia challenged the computation of the just share of the LGUs in the national taxes.
The landmark case strengthened financial decentralization where the LGUs have a just share of the tax collection of national government agencies (NGAs).
He cited the 1987 Constitution, which mandates that part of the taxes collected, such as income tax, excise tax, documentary stamp tax, and customs duties, should be given to the LGUs for automatic release without going through Congress.
Mandanas, who also became the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, said the implementation of the law would improve the lives of the people and equip them with their basic needs. (PNA)
