Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the proposed P58.53-billion Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) for 2027 will strengthen national government support for local government units (LGUs) and help align local development projects with national priorities.

During the Senate Committee on Finance deliberations on the DILG’s proposed 2027 budget, Remulla said the enhanced LGSF gives LGUs greater access to resources needed to address development gaps and respond to the priorities of their communities.

“Enhancing the LGSF has helped a great deal with the equalization of opportunities for the local government units,” he said.

“There is now a greater connection between the local government units and the national government,” he emphasized.

The proposed 2027 budget sets aside P58.53 billion for the LGSF, up from P57.87 billion in 2026 and more than double the P22.9 billion allocation in 2025.

Remulla noted that under the current system, LGSF allocations are released directly to LGUs, unlike in the past when funds were coursed through members of Congress.

He said the approach has strengthened the link between national and local governments by allowing LGUs to directly access support for projects responsive to local needs and consistent with broader national development goals.

“I go around local government units and they find great comfort that finally, Malacañang is listening to the plight of the LGUs,” he said.

“I think enhancing the LGSF is one of the great equalizing factors in order for these projects to be aligned with the national projects,” he stressed.

The DILG chief said strengthening the LGSF ultimately gives LGUs greater capacity to deliver projects where they are needed most, while