DHSUD affirms support to local government, agencies

MANILA, Philippines — Firm support of local government units (LGUs) and bolstered coordination with other agencies has been committed by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) after the signing of a joint memorandum circular on public financial management.

Signed last week by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and representatives of secretaries of public financial management oversight agencies, the circular adopts sound public fiscal management measures to ensure better performance and delivery of basic services by LGUs.

“This marks a significant step forward in our collective effort to empower LGUs and achieve stronger public financial management,” Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.

“(The circular) ushers in several significant changes to our existing policy guidelines,” he added.

Under the circular, the DHSUD is tasked to provide technical assistance, formulate and prescribe standards, regulations and guidelines for climate and disaster risk assessment, comprehensive land use plan, zoning ordinance and provincial development and physical framework plan of LGUs.

Acuzar guaranteed the DHSUD’s commitment to “foster the improved coordination among oversight agencies, strengthen LGU support to equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge for local land use and development planning.”

He also pledged to “ensure an efficient process for reviewing and approving plans while facilitating their alignment with regional and national priorities.”

The circular was designed to enable better coordination among agencies led by the DHSUD and the Departments of the Interior and Local Government, Budget and Management and Finance’s Bureau of Local Government Finance, as well as the National Economic and Development Authority.

It was also implemented to ensure that agencies’ tools for policy development, manuals, guidelines, issuances, awards, advice and guidance complement each other.

The DHSUD is mandated to ensure LGU compliance with the formulation or updating procedures of land use or physical framework plans, up to the implementation process through review or ratification, monitoring and imposition of penalties.

“I believe that through our collective commitment and action, we can build a brighter future for better, greener, smarter human settlements and urban systems in a more inclusive Philippines,” Acuzar said.