'One Cebu' mayors support move to increase IRA

CEBU, Philippines - Municipal mayors aligned to the One Cebu Party are supporting the move of senatorial aspirant Ramon Guico to increase the Internal Revenue Allotment of local government units by amending the Local Government Code of 1991.

Santander Mayor Wilson Wenceslao, national president of the League of Municipal Mayors of the Philippines, said they are supporting Guico because municipalities and even cities are dependent on their IRA.

Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura who is seeking a seat at the Provincial Board also said a bigger IRA would enable LGUs to implement more projects and improve the delivery of basic services.

Other mayors under the One Cebu Party share the sentiment that Guico would be their voice in the Senate, considering that he himself is mayor of the Municipality of Binalonan in Pangasinan.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Guico said there is a need to introduce amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991 and make the IRA a 50-50 sharing scheme.

Guico said the 1987 Constitution envisioned a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization.

This is said to be the guiding principle that led to the enactment of the landmark legislation that is Republic Act No. 7160, commonly referred to as the Local Government Code of 1991.

The Local Government Code mandated the devolution of the powers, responsibilities and resources from the central government to the local government units. It provided for effective mechanisms of recall, initiative and referendum. It spelled the qualification, election, appointment and removal, term, salaries, powers, functions and duties of local officials. In its entirety, it created a system for the organization and operation of the local government units.

But the functions were devolved to local government units and the funds are not included, Guico said. — Jose P. Sollano/JMO (THE FREEMAN)