Secretary Alfredo S. Lim directs LGUs to install performance information boards

Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. presented more than 85 amendments to the Local Government Code aimed at improving the nine-year law and strengthening local autonomy.

Pimentel, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government discussed the proposed amendments at the 3rd hearing in a series of nationwide public consultations at the Cagayan State University (CSU) Gymnasium, Tuguegarao City on August 11, 2000.

He said the Code, enacted in 1991, is not a perfect document as it requires s review of this comprehensive law every five years.  He said the country has fallen behind this codal mandate but added that should not matter much.

"What matters is that we review the Code, and build upon the wealth of experiences over the past decade not only to improve the law, but more importantly, strengthen local government units towards the eventual objective that is local empowerment," Pimentel said at his opening statements.

The wide-ranging amendments are embodied in Senate Bill 2064, authored by Pimentel, known as "An Act to Strengthen Local Government Units by Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act 7160."

The amendments are clustered in the following areas are:  principles and policies and intergovernmental relations; devolution of powers and functions; revenue sources and fiscal management, structures and systems; and popular participation.

Pimentel said that from all counts, the devolution of government powers and functions to LGUs has been a success.