Eastern Samar governor seeks boost to local government support fund

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar's chief executive is pushing for enhanced funding mechanisms to strengthen the province's fiscal capacity to deliver public services and infrastructure projects.

Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone voiced support for the expanded Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), describing additional national government resources as essential for local government units to bridge the gap between their development aspirations and available revenues.

"Additional support from the national government can make a real difference in our ability to deliver better services," Evardone said, highlighting the fund's potential to enable provinces and municipalities to finance programs that exceed their regular income.

The governor's endorsement underscores the persistent fiscal constraints facing local government units across the Philippines, particularly in less developed provinces. Eastern Samar, like many regions in the Visayas, relies heavily on internal revenue allotments from the national government to fund basic services, social programs, and infrastructure development.

The expanded LGSF is seen as a mechanism to provide LGUs with greater financial flexibility to address pressing local needs, from health and education initiatives to road construction and water systems. Evardone's backing of the proposal reflects broader calls from local government leaders for increased resource transfers to strengthen governance at the subnational level.