Chiz pushes for proposed DPWH, DepEd, DA deal to empower LGUs

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Saturday urged the national government to work on the proposed tripartite deal among the departments of public works, education, and agriculture to empower local government units.

The said proposed framework will allow qualified LGUs to grow by having improved infrastructure, stronger rural connectivity, and better school facilities, he said.

Escudero said he recently discussed the matter with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon and learned that under the proposed agreement, LGUs meeting the following requirements will be prioritized:

• demonstrated capacity to implement and complete projects; and
• a stable peace-and-order environment that allows development programs to proceed without disruption.

“The national government should focus on LGUs that have shown they can plan well, execute well, and maintain order... When local governments are capable, national-local partnerships become faster, more efficient, and more impactful," Escudero said.

He also urged LGUs to meet these requirements so as to access more support and opportunities to help them deliver development programs to their constituents faster.

Sorsogon is among the provinces that could meet this criteria due to its strong governance and readiness to implement infrastructure programs, Escudero said, citing what Dizon told him.

The province completed major infrastructure projects such as the Sorsogon Coastal Road, rehabilitated provincial and barangay roads during the pandemic, and strengthened peace and order through support for Barangay Development Projects under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) during Escudero's term as governor from 2019 to 2022, his office said.

Escudero said the tripartite model can be applied to all provinces as long as the LGUs meet the requirements.

The said partnership can also serve as template for future collaborations that would lead to improved infrastructure, enhanced education facilities, and agricultural productivity, he added. 

Recently, the Department of Education (DepEd) finalized a new memorandum of agreement (MOA) with LGUs to accelerate the construction, repair, and improvement of public school classrooms under the 2026 national budget, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said. —KG, GMA Integrated News