Debbie M.

Maraguinot
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

1. What is the ideal Local Government Units?

Effectively integrates the efforts, expertise and experience of all stakeholders in
providing solutions to some of the most critical social, economic, environmental, etc.
problems faced by the LGU concerned; and ¾ Offers the means for mutual
exchange and learning and constitutes a model for other LGUs. Replication of good
practice has been considered as one of the best interventions in improving local
governance. There are a lot of good practices that have been given due recognition
and worthy of emulation. Local governments that would want to adapt and/or
replicate good or model local governance practices need to properly identify these
good practices based on commonalities such as : characteristics of the locality,
income classification, ecosystem, and other variables. Sharing of practices is a
socio-political trait and has become a trend. This comes in the form of “on-the-job” or
hands-on training. The present trend in local governance is replicating good
practices that will enhance the effectiveness of the local units in delivering the basic
services to their constituencies. Effective replication of good practice requires
thorough understanding of the mechanisms or the processes.
Local government units that wish to replicate good practices must be critical in the
selection of good practices. In selecting good practices for replication, LGUs must be
guided with the following features: the good practice addresses the felt need of the
LGU’s constituencies or Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):
 Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
 Achieve universal primary education
 Promote gender quality
 Reduce child mortality
 Improve maternal health
 Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
 Ensure environmental sustainability
 Develop a global partnership for development

2. What is the impact of devolution on the national government programs and

finances?

The most commonly cited basis for devolution is that policymakers would be
closer to the people, which should result in a better match between policies and
programs and the needs and wants of the constituents; those governing will be
more flexible and responsive to the desires of the people. It is important because
 it ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and
businesses they affect. Devolution will provide greater freedoms and flexibilities
at a local level, meaning councils can work more effectively to improve public
services for their area.

3. What is the impact of devolution on social policy of the Philippines?

Most notable among these, insofar as social policy is concerned, was the transfer
to city and municipal governments of responsibility for primary health care and
social welfare services and the construction and maintenance of school buildings
used for primary education. What used to be the functions of the national
Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and
the Department of Education were placed in the hands of city and municipal
governments. As a consequence of the devolution, city and municipal authorities
now have discretion over the number of resources to put into primary health care,
social welfare services and basic education facilities. In a way, devolution came
in the form of the decentralization of power and authority from central
government to local governments, thus the two terms will be used
interchangeably here, especially in reference to similar changes in other
countries. Devolution is offered by proponents as a mechanism for increasing
local decision-making and control of resources. Some point out that devolution
forms part of an approach in social policy and administration characterized by
increased market orientation and managerialism with the main objective of
increasing efficiency. The devolution granted local government units a substantial
amount of power and authority and this resulted in the financial and political
strengthening of a number of local governments. The Code provided sufficient
space and opportunity for local government units to transform themselves in the
areas of tax administration, budget management and local financing.
Understandably, the devolution provided more political power to local
government officials. This power, however, is not well distributed. Many local
chief executives, mayors as they are called, hold a substantial amount of power
at the local level, even in relation to the local legislative body.

4. Cite issues and problems in decentralization and local autonomy in the

Philippines and provide description brief description. (At least 5)

 Several basic services and facilities have been devolved to LGU:

agricultural extension and on-site research, community-based forest
projects, field health and hospital services, public works and infrastructure
 projects derived from local funds, school building programs, social welfare
services, tourism facilities, housing projects for provinces and cities and
such other services pertaining to industrial support.
 The regulatory powers, on the other hand, devolved to the LGUs include:
the reclassification of agricultural lands, enforcement of environmental
laws, inspection of food products, quarantine, enforcement of the national
building code, operation of community public utility conveyances
(tricycles), processing and approval of subdivision plans and the
establishment of cockpits and the holding of cockfights.
 The Problematic of the Absorptive Capacities of LGUs has not Matched
the Demands of Responsibilities Entrusted by the Code.
 Many Local Governments Continue to be Dependent on their Shares of
the Internal Revenue Allotment.
 The National Government Continues to hold and control the Bulk of
Productive Sources of Revenue even in the post-Code period.
 There is a Wide Disparity in the Distribution of Government Personnel
Between the National Government and the LGUs.
 The Poverty Incidence has not been contained.