Rosa Mmae M.

Arguillo

MPG 503

1. Discuss Extensively the following: a. Local autonomy

Local government based on constitution gave every political unit the self governing power which is known as Local Autonomy. In which the state has given the local authorities to manage local affairs through elected officials. The mechanism by which the publics political preference is ascertained and leaders are chosen. The national government sought to upgrade local government by delegating some powers to local subdivisions and by encouraging people to participate in community affairs. It devolves to local government units (LGUs) responsibility for the delivery of various aspects of basic services that earlier were the responsibility of national government. These include: health, social services, environment , agriculture, public works, education (school building program),tourism, telecommunications services and housing projects (for provinces and cities) and other services such as investment support. It also provide to LGUs the following such as the responsibility for the enforcement of certain regulatory powers, provides the legal and institutional infrastructure for expanded participation of civil society in local governance. Increases the financial resources available to LGUs by broadening their taxing powers; providing them with a specific share from the national wealth use in their area and lays the foundation for the development and evolution of more entrepreneurial-oriented LGUs. b. Decentralization

Decentralization refers to the global trend of devolving the responsibilities of centralized governments to regional or local governments. The promise of decentralization is to enhance efficiency through inter-governmental competition and fiscal discipline and democratic voice enhanced local voice over service provision. The assignment of tax and expenditure authority to the local government creates the discipline and market features necessary to ensure productive efficiency. Decentralization works best in settings where there are strong traditions of democracy, accountability and professionalism in sub-national government. It does not provide a short cut to governmental capacity in situations where these preconditions are absent. Decentralization may enhance productive efficiency but will undermine allocative efficiency by making redistribution more difficult, especially in areas with regional inequality. However decentralization should be

used with caution in situations where there are concerns with inequality, corruption and weak managerial capacity or weak democratic traditions. In decentralization it is the delegation of decision-making to the subunits of an organization. It is a matter of degree. The lower the level where decisions are made, the greater is the decentralization. Decentralization is most effective in organizations where subunits are autonomous and costs and profits can be independently measured. Decisions are made by those who have the most knowledge about local conditions. The greater managerial input in decision- making has a desirable motivational effect and managers have more control over results. However it has the tendency to look at their division and lose sight of overall company goals, there can be costly duplication of services and costs of obtaining sufficient information increase.

c. Devolution What is the advantages? 2. What is the basis of congress in enacting the Local Government Code of 1991 otherwise known as RA7160 3. Why is there a need of the Local Government Code? 4. Discuss the reasons for granting Local Autonomy? Basing on your studies and observations of Local Government? Do you think Local Autonomy had helped improve the quality of life of people? If yes, why? If no, Why? The 1991 Local Government Code, which initiated the decentralization process in the Philippines by empowering local governments to more effectively respond to their community needs, has always been referred to as radical and revolutionary. It now serves as an example for other countries on how local governments have accepted, adjusted, and adapted to this development remedy. However, after nearly two decades of local autonomy, it has become imperative to know and describe the progress, initiatives, and innovations of local governments 19 years after the Local Government Code was passed. Since colonization by the Spain in the 16th Century, the politic-administrative system in the Philippines has been highly centralized. The LGC of 1991 was the breakthrough in this. Any continuing shortcomings in the Philippine decentralization process must be seen in that historical context. The breakthrough in local autonomy must also be seen as a function of the

democratization process under the 1987 Philippine Constitution promulgated after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution which overthrew the most highly centralized Marcos dictatorship. Indeed, decentralization has redefined governance in the Philippines, with the Local Government Code of 1991 providing local governments with the enabling environment to experiment and be more responsive to community needs. With localized service delivery, citizens are more satisfied with local governments than with national government. A recent nationwide citizen survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations reflects that citizens are in fact more satisfied with local governments than with national government. The specific local government services citizens are most satisfied with are: maintaining of the public market, implementing educational programs, promoting sports programs, maintaining of health centers, lighting of streets, collecting garbage, protecting the environment, and providing information on taxes and permits. However, citizens remain dissatisfied with the performance of local governments in eradicating graft and corruption.