Senator Chiz Escudero on Saturday called on the government to expedite the approval of a proposed tripartite agreement among the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture, saying the initiative would reduce bureaucratic red tape, accelerate public spending, and deliver projects more efficiently.
The plan would allow qualified local government units (LGUs) to directly implement major national projects, addressing long-standing delays in infrastructure, school construction, and farm support programs.
“The national government should focus on LGUs that have shown they can plan well, execute well and maintain order,” Escudero said.
“When local governments are capable, national-local partnerships become faster, more efficient and more impactful,” he added.
Escudero, who previously served as governor of Sorsogon, said he recently discussed the proposal with Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, stressing that LGUs should be prioritized if they meet two key criteria: proven capability to complete projects and a stable security environment.
“Our LGUs should also take advantage of this new business model by meeting these requirements so they can access more support, unlock bigger opportunities, and deliver development programs more quickly to their constituents,” he stressed.
The senator explained that devolving project execution to capable LGUs would ease the burden on national agencies often hampered by procurement backlogs, manpower shortages, and implementation delays, especially under the country’s large annual public works and education budgets.
“This is exactly how the Local Government Code envisioned development— strong national support matched with capable, empowered LGUs delivering results on the ground,” Escudero noted. “When we back LGUs that are ready and proven, progress becomes faster, fairer, and felt by more families.”
He cited Sorsogon as an example, pointing to projects completed between 2019 and 2022 such as the Sorsogon Coastal Road, rehabilitation of provincial and barangay roads during the pandemic, and peace and order initiatives under the Barangay Development Projects of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
“These are proof that when LGUs are empowered and supported, they can deliver,” Escudero said.
He emphasized that the model could be replicated nationwide, particularly in provinces and cities with strong governance, fiscal discipline, and peace and order, allowing national agencies to focus more on policy, oversight, and strategic planning.