TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The annual convergence of local government units, national agencies and private sectors to discuss pressing issues in region 2 has been held in this city at Go Hotels on Tuesday, October 18.
The yearly convergence is called ‘Dagyaw,’ a Hiligaynon word that directly translates to “togetherness.”
The said congregation provides a venue wherein citizens and their government offices can engage in discourse.
The different sectors were engaged in discussions relative to the regional matters and what to do in such situations.
This year’s Dagyaw focused on ‘LGU Readiness to Transition to Full Devolution’ or giving full autonomy to local government units.
Department of Interior and the Local Government Unit (DILG) Central Office Director Alfonso A. Maralli explained and discussed the Supreme Court ruling on the Mandanas case on how it was relative to the full devolution.
The director pointed out that the fiscal impact of the supreme court ruling to LGUs has increased the National Tax Allotment up to 37.89 last 2021 to 2022, while in 2022-2023, there is a decrease of 14.47 because of lower collection.
There will also be devolved basic services and facilities of LGUs, but they will be able to assume the responsibilities of the devolved services such as agricultural extension and on-site research; community based forestry projects; field health and hospital services; public works and infrastructure; school building program; social welfare services; tourism facilities, promotion and development; housing projects for provinces and cities; telecommunications services; and investment support, industrial research and development.
Maralli said the LGUs are given three years to fully assume the responsibilities in the full devolution.
“All cities, municipalities and barangays are tasked to craft their devolution transition plan or DTP to address their local responsibilities, and after that the LGUs will have its own assessment after the next three years,” he said.
For Cagayan, Governor Manuel N. Mamba said that the convergence allows the government and stakeholders to address the matters happening in different areas.
“I hope that we will not think that we have monopoly of wisdom because we have learned from you and you have learned from us. There are so many conflicts that are to be addressed,” he pointed out.
Primarily, the meeting aims to strengthen public and private relationships to a common goal.
Meanwhile, for the Department of Budget and Management, Director Ludivina Potot, said that Dagyaw has been running since 2018 which points to the paramount issues like disaster preparedness, climate change, readiness of LGU and other pressing issues.
“The state should ensure the autonomy of local governments so that they can move accordingly to their geographical situation,” she said.