MANILA — Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar has committed to reinforcing support for local government units (LGUs) and enhancing collaboration with other national government agencies (NGAs).
According to Philippines News Agency, Acuzar highlighted the department's dedication during the signing of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) on Public Financial Management with LGUs and NGAs on April 3. The DHSUD Secretary articulated that this initiative is a leap forward in strengthening public financial management and equipping LGUs with the essential tools for effective local land use and development planning.
The JMC introduces substantial modifications to current policy guidelines, emblematic of the administration's commitment to a "Bagong Pilipinas" brand of governance. Acuzar underscored the DHSUD's promise to foster better coordination among oversight agencies and to streamline the process for reviewing and approving local development plans, ensuring they align with regional and national objectives.
The development of the JMC was led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. The memorandum aims to facilitate improved coordination among the DILG, DHSUD, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Department of Finance's Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF). This collaborative effort is intended to enhance the provision of technical assistance to LGUs in areas of public financial management, ensuring that policy tools, manuals, and guidelines from these agencies are complementary and comprehensive.
Under the provisions of the JMC, the DHSUD is tasked with offering technical assistance and setting standards, regulations, and guidelines for various urban development and land use planning activities. This includes ensuring LGUs adhere to the processes of formulating or updating their land use or physical framework plans, from approval to implementation, through rigorous review, ratification, monitoring, and the enforcement of penalties where necessary.
Acuzar stressed the significance of efficient resource utilization for the creation of resilient and sustainable communities. He affirmed the DHSUD's readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders to achieve the successful execution of the JMC. By fostering collective commitment and action, Acuzar expressed confidence in the potential to advance the development of better, greener, smarter human settlements and urban systems in a more inclusive Philippines. The JMC encompasses a wide range of areas including local development planning, land use planning, investment programming, resource mobilization, budgeting, expenditure management, and performance monitoring, signifying a comprehensive approach to fiscal oversight and support for LGUs across the Philippines.