By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) warned local government units (LGUs) against suspicious individuals offering assistance to access over P13-billion worth of funds that are meant to finance local development and infrastructure projects that are part of the economic stimulus program of the government.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said in a press release on Wednesday (June 30) that he has received reports from regional and field offices that swindlers are tricking LGUs into believing that they can help facilitate access to the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU) in exchange for favors or a fee.
Año firmly advised LGUs not to transact with any fixer, scammer, or third-party entity but to go directly to the Regional Offices of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in applying for the said fund.
“Let’s protect government funds. We are issuing a warning to the LGUs against third-party entities who are engaging in illegal transactions intending to access the LGSF-FALGU fund. Pangalagaan at protektahan natin ang pondo’t kaban ng bayan,” Año said.
“Makipag-ugnayan po tayo sa regional offices ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) lamang. Hindi po kailangan ng ‘fixer’ o third party entity para sa pagproseso ng pondong ito. Sundin lamang po ang panuntunan ng DBM,” he added.
This year, a total of P13.586-billion LGSF-FALGU fund was allocated to 319 LGUs.
LGUs are encouraged under the 2021 General Appropriations Act or Republic Act No. 11518 to avail of the LGSF-FALGU fund for their local infrastructure and development projects to boost their local economies as part of the economic stimulus program of the government.
Año said all applications must be submitted directly to the DBM as stated in Local Budget Circular No. 131.
Section 3.11 of the circular underscores the prohibition on the involvement of third parties in the preparation, submission, or facilitation of requests: “It is understood that only requests prepared, signed, and submitted by the LCEs shall be evaluated by the DBM. Requests that are shown to have been prepared and/or submitted by third parties, e.g fixers, middlemen, and facilitators, shall immediately be denied.”
Meanwhile, the DILG Chief has instructed all DILG Regional Directors to monitor and submit to the DILG Central Office their reports of illegal transactions along with the names of groups or individuals involved in these unlawful acts.
“We will not take this sitting down at titiyakin natin na ang mga indibidwal o grupo na ito ay mapaparusahan ayon sa ating batas,” Año said. -rir
