Quirino Governor Dax Cua on Friday expressed full support for the creation of a special team that would look into issues arising from the implementation of the Supreme Court’s Mandanas-Garcia ruling.
“The Mandanas-Garcia ruling is a game-changing decision and it is only natural that we encounter difficulties at the initial stage of its implementation. The formation of this special team will definitely help in resolving any issues for both the national and local governments,” Cua said.
The Mandanas-Garcia ruling fully transfers the delivery of basic services to local governments. The SC affirmed the ruling in 2018 and granted LGUs a just share of all of the country’s revenues, instead of just the internal revenue allotment previously.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. announced the team’s creation during a recent meeting with the League of Cities of the Philippines.
According to Marcos, the team, which will be led by the Department of Interior and Local Government, will primarily look into issues of devolution and decentralization of the functions of the local and national governments amid the implementation of the ruling.
The Mandanas-Garcia ruling fully transfers the delivery of basic services to local governments. The SC affirmed the ruling in 2018 and granted LGUs a just share of all of the country’s revenues, instead of just the internal revenue allotment previously.
Cua, who heads the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, said that he expects the team to provide a middle ground where the issues can be discussed.
“Naiintindihan naman ng DILG kung gaano kahalaga ang autonomy ng mga LGU. Kaya inaasahan natin na imbes didiktahan tayo ay magbibigay sila ng plataporma para mapag-usapan ang mga kailangang gawin at pagtulungan,” said the governor.
“We find ourselves in a very fluid situation and it would be a misstep if we try to set hard boundaries as to who does what and who gets what, among other things. So in this regard, close communication will be crucial,” he added.
Cua also reiterated his request for the national government to help empower LGUs so that they could effectively take over their added responsibilities under the Mandanas-Garcia ruling.
