President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called upon local chief executives nationwide to utilize the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to provide immediate relief to vulnerable sectors, particularly the families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The directive is part of a proactive national strategy to cushion the economic and social shocks caused by the international crisis. Under the President’s instruction, Local Government Units (LGUs) are authorized to leverage the LGSF for financial aid, social services, and emergency response programs tailored to those impacted by the conflict.
While typically earmarked for long-term development projects, the LGSF offers the flexibility required for LGUs to pivot toward urgent social protection. In the 2026 national budget, the LGSF allocation stands at approximately PhP57.88 billion, providing a robust financial cushion for provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.
Eligible assistance programs under this directive include:
-
Emergency financial aid for repatriated or returning OFWs.
-
Income support for families facing disrupted remittances.
-
Subsidies and retraining for displaced workers reintegrating into the local economy.
During a press conference at Malacañang on Wednesday, Metro Manila mayors joined Cabinet officials to discuss implementation strategies. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno expressed his gratitude for the increased LGSF allocation, noting that the funds enable local governments to bypass traditional bureaucratic delays and respond swiftly to the needs of their constituents.
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, alongside Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, emphasized that the government is also preparing for secondary impacts on the transport sector and basic local services.
The briefing followed a high-level meeting with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, where mayors from Pasay, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Valenzuela, Pateros, and Malabon aligned their local contingency plans with the President’s national directive. “The LGSF is a tool for agile governance. By prioritizing our OFWs and their families today, we ensure that no community is left to navigate this global crisis alone.”
The Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) is a specialized fund transferred from the national government to LGUs. It is designed to finance priority development programs and provide local leaders with the fiscal flexibility to address both urgent needs and long-term economic stability.
