A total of 103 municipalities in the Calabarzon Region have received funding assistance from the national government for the implementation of projects under the Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (ADM)Program.
In the official list of recipient LGUs obtained by the DILG IV-A, a total of P1.73-B has been earmarked for the implementation of the program covering 442 projects in the region.
The allocation ranging from P10.5 to P24.3 million was released in two separate batches of local governments. The first batch was released on April 21 and the succeeding batch on June 27.
Included in the first two batches of recipient LGUs are those which have obtained a Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH) mark from the DILG, and complied to the assessment and adoption measures on Public Financial Management (PFM) as prescribed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Among the projects supported by the program are potable water supply system, local access roads; evacuation facilities; and small water-impounding facilities.
ADM is one of the new programs of the DILG crafted as a catch-up mechanism to assist local governments in increasing citizens’ access to basic facilities.
In-depth orientation
To familiarize municipal governments on the policy guidelines and implementing procedures of the program, the DILG IV-A through its Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED) spearheaded series of orientations for the recipient LGUs.
Said activity was one of the interventions set by the DILG IV-A to ensure that recipient LGUs are able to abide by the overall process and implementation of the Department’s new program.
LGMED Chief Engr. John M. Cerezo led the discussion which focused on the implementing guidelines, roles, and responsibilities of stakeholders; timeline and phases of implementation; and all other matters as provided in the DILG-DBM Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2017-3.
Modification of projects
Engr. Cerezo also clarified the issues and concerns raised by the local government officials and officers relative to the implementation of the program. Among those elevated during the orientation were concerns on modification of project specifications such as location and beneficiaries.
Shedding light on the issue, Engr. Cerezo said that modification and replacement of projects are not allowed as prescribed by the DILG-DBM JMC 2017-3. Expressing no guarantee, Engr. Cerezo said that request for changes may be considered if a significant number of LGUs will appeal to it.
Fast tracking of projects
Regional Director Manuel Q. Gotis, CESO III, meanwhile urged LGUs to implement the projects as soon as possible considering the period of implementation required under its implementing guidelines.
Pointing out that LGUs are held responsible and accountable for using the funds, he added that projects not implemented accordingly may result in a filing of appropriate charges and cases against the local public official concerned.
Highlighting critical projects, the DILG IV-A also discussed the status of the Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) Program in the region which is now in its final year of implementation.
The ADM program has a total budget allocation of P19.43-billion as provided by Republic Act No. 10924 which authorized the General Appropriations Act for the fiscal year 2017 approved by President Rodrigo R. Duterte. R4A
