POPCOM pushes localization strategy of population program

With the expected bigger chunk of budget to be given to the local government units through the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling by 2022, the Commission on Population and Development is working for the localization strategy of the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP).

Preliminary activities are now being coordinated to pilot sites in preparation for the initiative.

This work of POPCOM can be attributed mainly to the call of the present administration to include the population program as a poverty reduction strategy under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2022.

Various cabinet directives were issued to this effect such as the JMC 2019-01 on the National Program on Population and Family Planning (NPPFP) and the DILG Circular No. 2019-100 was issued to specifically enjoin LGUs to designate or appoint Local Population Officers and mobilize all relevant local offices and instrumentalities for the intensified implementation of the NPPFP particularly at the community level.

It can be noted also that the Local Government Code devolved to the LGUs the primary responsibility of attaining and ensuring the welfare and development of its people and their localities through the provision of appropriate services including population and family planning services.

Thus, POPCOM is working closely with the LGUs to ensure that the said programs will be prioritized and increase support and commitment from the local chief executives and other stakeholders.

“POPCOM’s strategic interventions as well as its resources shall be focused toward the efficient and effective mobilization of LGUs to take the lead in the implementation of population management strategies,” explained POPCOM-Region VI Director Harold Alfred Marshall.

As an intervention, POPCOM conducted orientation and strategic planning workshop with the LGUs in identifying key population issues such as Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Adolescent Birth Rate.

Moreover, a Memorandum of Agreement shall be entered between the LGU and POPCOM-Region VI.

The pilot LGUs are the municipalities of Libertad and Pandan in Antique, municipalities of Concepcion and Lambunao, Iloilo, Maayon, Capiz, and Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental. POPCOM-Region VI shall be releasing PhP 100,000.00 as grants for 2022 to each of these LGUs in support to their strategies addressing critical population issues.

“We welcome this partnership as it can help us attain our vision of making LGUs relevant in contributing to development,” expressed Mayor Mary Jean Te of Libertad, Antique.

During the Strategic Planning Workshop in Concepcion, Iloilo Mayor Raul Banias said, “You (POPCOM) have partnered with the right LGU.”

 

On Mandanas-Garcia Ruling

 

In 2012, Hermilando Mandanas, then representative of the 2nd district of Batangas, went to the High Court to question the government’s wrong computation and misappropriation of IRA funds for LGUs.

In his 23-page petition, Mandanas argued that Section 284 on Allotment of Internal Revenue Taxes of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code) clearly defines “just share” regarding the IRA while Section 21 of RA 8424 (National Internal Revenue Code) enumerates the sources of revenue as income taxes, estate and donor’s taxes, value-added tax, other percentage taxes, excise taxes, documentary stamp taxes, and such other taxes imposed and collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

His petition also stated that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) collects national internal revenue taxes such as value-added tax, excise taxes, and documentary stamp taxes on imported goods as an agent of the BIR, as provided for in Sec. 12 of the National Internal Revenue Code.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the ‘just share’ of local government units must be computed and sourced from all national taxes and not just from the national internal revenue taxes. This means that taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs shall be included in the computation of IRA share of the LGU.

 

Implications to the population program

Due to increase of budget of LGUs as a result of Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling, it means more devolved functions and services and generation of more basic social and health services on the part of the LGU.

POPCOM shall take this opportunity to advance the interest of the PPMP by promoting the population program in close coordination with the LCEs utilizing the increase IRA budget due to the effect of Mandanas’ Ruling. (POPCOM RegionVI)