DILG issues rules on access to 'performance funds'

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued new guidelines on how local government units (LGUs) can access "performance challenge funds." The fund is an incentive awarded to highly-performing LGUs for their remarkable "government planning, sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and valuing performance information." The incentive program seeks to help LGUs meet the Millennium Development Goals, by providing funds that can be used for livelihood and employment generation projects, schools building, hospitals and health centers, and crisis centers, among others. The LGUs should submit "documentary requirements such as letters of intent and project designs, Sanggunian resolutions, and certifications from their respective municipal treasurers to DILG for evaluation," Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero said in a statement. Some 15 fourth class municipalities were identified as recipients of the fund. These were Anilao in Iloilo, Balete in Aklan, Balilihan and Catigbian in Bohol, Clarin in Misamis Occidental, Damulog in Bukidnon, Datu Paglas in Maguindanao, Leon B. Postigo and Tampilisan in Zamboanga del Norte, Mobo in Masbate, Naawan in Misamis Oriental, Pitogo in Quezon, San Agustin in Surigao del Sur, Santol in La Union, and Sto. Domingo in Albay. Each municipality will receive P1 million. The fund is part of the P86.9 billion proposed budget of the DILG next year. Apart from complying with other requirements, the LGU is also expected to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the DILG, Panadero said. He said that qualified LGUs shall open a special account in a government bank. The LGUs should also maintain book of accounts for the fund, create a fund project team, and prepare fund utilization and liquidation reports verified by the Commission on Audit, Panadero said. — JE/LRS/VS, GMANews.TV