LOCAL GOVERNMENT STORIES

New Stories
Archives
Recommend a Story
Announce through CLRG

Stories from February 2014

LocalGov Stories is your one-stop-shop for news stories on local governance and issues and trends affecting local governments. We survey the web for the most interesting and burning stories so you don't have to. Click on the story and it will take you to the host website.
1,200 ARMM infra projects proposed
The Manila Times, 28 February 2014

Around 1,200 infrastructure projects are being proposed for implementation in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao for the period 2015-2016. This is seen as a mechanism towards socio-economic development in the region before the new Bangsamoro government comes in. Read more details from this story.
DOLE implements P1.19-M emergency-employment project in Davao Oriental
Business Mirror, 23 February 2014

The Department of Labor and Employment has partnered with local government units in Davao Oriental in the implementation of an emergency employment. This aims to address the problem on livelihood caused by bad weather conditions in the region. Read this story for complete details.
Stakeholders plan eco-tourism programs for Bohol, Cebu
The Manila Times, 21 February 2014

Tourism stakeholders in Cebu and Bohol are now taking in eco-tourism in both provinces after the recent disasters which struck them. With the help of Germany's GIZ, lessons on climate resiliency and green approaches are being integrated in the process. Read from this story and know how Cebu and Bohol is standing anew.
Refugees granted livelihood perks
The Manila Times, 20 February 2014

One local government in Luzon (Rosario, Cavite) is helping Yolanda survivors from the Visayas (Tacloban, Leyte) by providing them free shelter, medical services and scholarships. Just recently, Mayor Ricafrente of Rosario is also having them trained for a livelihood opportunity. Read the details from this story.
Valenzuela reports 14% hike in revenues
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 18 February 2014

For the first quarter of the year, the city claims a PhP 68 Million higher collection compared to the same period last year.  Find out more about Valenzuela city's efficient tax collection system by reading this article.
City of Santa rosa achieves Silver Grade for Seal of Good HousekeepingPhilippine Information Agency (PIA), 17 February 2014

Mayor Arcillas of Sta. Rosa City acknowledged the contributions of all the civil servants in the city as DILG bestowed them the Silver Grade for Seal of Good housekeeping (SGH). 
Cagayan de Oro mayor vetoes city budget
Business Mirror, 17 February 2014

The city council or the Sangguniang Panlungsod (Sangguniang Bayan in the case of municipalities) are responsible for passing the budget of the city through a city ordinance. However, the Local Government Code allows the Mayor (the chief executive) to veto ordinances passed by the Sanggunian. What prompted Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno to veto the city's budget ordinance? Find out when you read the full details of this article.
Gov't urged to decentralize post-Yolanda rehab efforts
GMA News, 17 February 2014

Some lawmakers believe that efforts in rebuilding Yolanda-affected areas should be decentralized. Thus, they urge the Aquino administration to relegate the rehabilitation task to local government units as they are more knowledgeable of their respective contexts, needs and available resources. Check this article to see why these lawmakers ask the national government to trust its local counterparts.
NEDA maps out growth, poverty incidence by cities, provinces
InterAksyon, 17 February 2014

NEDA grouped local governments in three categories based on their growth vis-a-vis poverty incidence. This categorization will help the national government in deciding what specific interventions are needed in certain LGUs. Which category is your LGU? Find out when you read the full article.
Mandaluyong City law punishes 'negligent' parents of child offenders
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 16 February 2014

Through a recently passed city ordinance, Mandaluyong intensifies its efforts adhering to its reputation as the most-child friendly city in the Philippines by focusing on parent responsibility. See this article for more information.
More firms eyeing Negros' First Cybercentre
Panay News Philippines, 16 February 2014

The province of Negros Occidental now ventures in encouraging investments through the IT-BPO industry by opening the Negros First Cybercentre in Bacolod City. Refer to this article for the current developments.
House makes Batangas City separate legislative district
The Philippine Star, 16 February 2014

HB 3750, which proposes Batangas City to constitute another district of the province, has made its way through Congress along with three other local bills which seek to convert and divide barangays in Metro Manila. Know more about these LGUs through this article.
LGUs receive their 2014 IRA share
The Philippine Star, 16 February 2014

For the year 2014, a total of PhP 324 Billion has been alloted to the LGUs for their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). To know how this share in national wealth is distributed to LGUs, see this article.
Enchanting town copes with disasters
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 16 February 2014

With its unforgettable experience in the face of disasters, the town of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur bounces back with various environmental initiatives through its citizens and more resilient communities. To find out more, refer to this article.
ADB approves $250-M loan for local govt code revision
Business Mirror, 14 February 2014

Increasing the income of local governments is one of the mechanisms to improve governance and basic service delivery in the regions. This is among the issues that should be addressed in the proposed revision of the Local Government Code according to experts. And the ADB is supporting this through the $250-M loan it just approved. Read the full details from this article.
7 ARMM towns cited for good governance
The Philippine Star, 14 February 2014

Seven towns from the ARMM received 1 million each after acquiring the "Seal of Good Housekeeping" from DILG. The seal is awarded to local governments who have good performance in local governance. Know which LGUs won the award from this story.
Zambales government creates tourism council, establishes tourism code
Business Mirror, 13 February 2014

The province of Zambales is pursuing tourism as one of its approaches to achieving sustainable development. Thus, it has recently adopted its local tourism code and established a local tourism council for this purpose. Check this story and learn how this new policy will be pursued to for the province to achieve its development goals.
Pampanga credits higher collection from 4 properties to German-aided tax system; targets P45 million this year
Business Mirror, 13 February 2014

The i-Tax is a tool introduced by the GIZ to Philippine local governments and is said to have helped them in rationalizing their taxation systems and improving collection efficiency. One of the LGUs which benefited from this technology is the province of Pampanga. Read how the province made it by reading this story.
400 local execs tackle disaster planning, economic roadmap, Bangsamoro outlook in ARMM summit
InterAksyon, 11 February 2014

Local chief executives from ARMM local governments meet during the ARMM Summit to strengthen their capacity and coordination mechanisms in dealing with natural or man-made disasters. The Summit also provided a forward-looking venue for the discussion of development in the soon Bangsamoro region.
Cordillera tribes to draft autonomy law
The Manila Times, 11 February 2014

The tribal groups in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is taking active part in pushing for autonomy in the region. Through an autonomy caravan, the tribes aim to get the pulses and views from the region, from which they will base the content of an Organic Act they will draft soon. Check this article and see what are the factors that push for an Autonomous Cordillera.
Mindanao towns with no IRA helpless against BIFF
The Manila Times, 07 February 2014

Eight towns in Mindanao relate that they are not able to address current insurgency issues because they lack funds as they do not receive internal revenue allotments (IRA) from the national government. What is the basis for the national government to not release IRA to these local governments? Find out from this article.
$33.8M needed to rehab Bohol earthquake areas
The Manila Times, 07 February 2014

It takes a lot of resources for the rehabilitation of a local government devastated by a disaster. The province of Bohol, which was struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October 2013, is currently in this shoes. Read the full article to see the strides of Bohol and its partners to be able to rehabilitate the province.
Cebu wants to emulate P’sinan best health practices
The Philippine Star, 07 February 2014

A delegation from Cebu province headed by Gov. Hilario Davide III himself visited the province of Pangasinan to look into the latter's best practices in health care. The news reports that Pangasinan hospitals are among the best-ran in the country. See the full article for more details.
Bangsamoro basic law seen to get Congress nod before year end
GMA Network, 06 February 2014

The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BSL) seeks to replace the failed experiment called the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslims in Mindanao). The Senate President remarked in this news that the BSL should be passed within the year. Click the link and read more about Bangsamoro.
SC stops QC from collecting garbage fees
GMA Network, 06 February 2014

With a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court, the government of Quezon City is temporarily stopping its collection of garbage fees from domestic households. This was after a citizen of the city requested the court for such TRO. Read this article and know more about this issue.
Waste-to-Energy project to rise in Iloilo City
The Manila Times, 06 February 2014

A partnership between the Iloilo City government and a Korean company is leading to the establishment of a waste-to-energy facility. This is public-private partnership that is happening beyond a "national" level. Click the link and read more.
3 ARMM govs to help in Zamboanga rehab
The Manila Times, 05 February 2014

Interlocal cooperation is happening in Mindanao in order to help Zamboanga City with the challenges it is facing since the war in 2013. This initiative has also captured the support of various civil society groups, Muslim organizations and religious leaders. Read more from the full entry.
Manila to implement ordinance on truck ban on Monday
GMA Network, 05 February 2014

Mayor Joseph Estrada announced the implementation of the truck ban in the city on the second week of February 2014. Members of the business sector warned about the ban's impacts to the economy. Check more of this news from the full article.
Biliran province, six towns receive 2013 Seal of Good Housekeeping award
Philippine Information Agency, 05 February 2014

P7M will be given to the provincial government of Biliran while six of its town will receive P1M each as an awardee of the 2013 Seal of Good Housekeeping.  Read this article for more information.
No CCTV, No Permit
Manila Bulletin, 05 February 2014

All businessmen who wish to put up business/commercial establishments in Cavite City should install CCTV before having business permit as per Ordinance 2013-004.  Learn more about the policy by reading this article. 
Naga City may be the next Tacloban – WWF
The Manila Times, 04 February 2014

The World Wildlife Fund-Philippines and the BPI Foundation found out that Naga City is highly at risk with the impacts of climate change. This was reflected in the multi-year study called the "Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Impacts." Find out in this article what makes Naga City vulnerable according the study.
DOJ asked to probe Batangas tax hike
The Manila Times, 03 February 2014

One of the functions of local governments is taxation as provided in the Local Government Code of 1991. It is also a mechanism for revenue generation. But there are cases when some stakeholders or citizens question taxation policies, just like in Tanauan, Batangas. What are the grounds for their opposition? Read full details from this article.

Click here for past LocalGov Stories.