MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is calling on the national government to fast-track a proposed tripartite agreement aimed at decentralizing development and empowering local government units (LGUs).
The veteran lawmaker on Saturday urged the executive branch to formalize a framework involving the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Agriculture (DA). The deal is designed to bypass traditional bureaucratic bottlenecks by allowing qualified LGUs to take the lead on infrastructure, education, and agricultural projects.
“The national government should focus on LGUs that have shown they can plan well, execute well, and maintain order,” Escudero said in a statement. “When local governments are capable, national-local partnerships become faster, more efficient, and more impactful.”
The ‘Capability’ Clause
Under the proposed framework, LGUs would not automatically receive expanded powers. According to Escudero, who recently discussed the matter with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, two primary criteria must be met for local governments to be prioritized:
- Demonstrated Capacity: A proven track record of implementing and completing projects on time.
- Stability: A stable peace-and-order environment that ensures development programs are not disrupted by conflict or security threats.
Escudero noted that this “merit-based” approach encourages local leaders to improve governance standards in exchange for greater autonomy and funding.
Sorsogon as a Blueprint
The Senator pointed to Sorsogon province as a prime candidate for this model. During Escudero’s tenure as governor from 2019 to 2022, the province completed high-profile projects including the Sorsogon Coastal Road and various rural connectivity initiatives despite the challenges of the pandemic.
He also highlighted the province’s success in integrating peace-and-order efforts with development, specifically through support for Barangay Development Projects under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
A Growing Trend in Decentralization
The push for local empowerment appears to be gaining traction across different agencies. Education Secretary Sonny Angara recently confirmed that DepEd has finalized a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with LGUs to accelerate the repair and construction of classrooms under the 2026 national budget.
Escudero believes the tripartite model between the DPWH, DepEd, and DA could serve as a permanent template for national-local collaboration. By linking infrastructure, schools, and farming support, the Senator argues the government can deliver more “impactful” results directly to the constituents.
“This is about trusting capable local leaders to deliver,” Escudero added. “If the LGU is ready, the national government should be ready to partner with them.”
