MANILA – Local government units (LGUs) nationwide will receive about PHP871.38 billion in 2024 based on their national tax allotment (NTA) shares, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Friday.
The DBM, citing the Local Budget Memorandum 87 issued by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on June 9, said LGU municipalities are entitled to an NTA share of PHP295.47 billion, cities with PHP201.22 billion, provinces with PHP200.42 billion, and villages with PHP174.28 billion.
The NTA shares of LGUs are based on the tax collections of the government.
Under Section 284 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, the LGUs shall get a 40-percent share in the national taxes based on the collections during the third fiscal year preceding the current fiscal year.
The DBM said the LGUs’ PHP861.38 billion NTA shares for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 were based on the certifications issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (PHP688 billion), Bureau of Customs (PHP183.36 billion), and other agencies certified by the Bureau of the Treasury (PHP19.60 million).
“The FY 2024 NTA level is PHP51.11 billion or 6.23 percent higher than the FY 2023 NTA shares of LGUs,” it said.
The DBM noted that the memorandum has also outlined the guidelines on the preparation of the FY 2024 annual budgets of the LGUs, including the priorities in the use of the NTA and other local resources.
“Accordingly, the NTA and other local resources shall first cover the cost of providing the basic services and facilities enumerated in Section 17 (b) of the Local Government Code of 1991, particularly those devolved by the national government, before applying the same for other purposes,” the budget department said.
“All LGUs are likewise reminded to appropriate funds in its annual budget no less than 20 percent of its NTA share for development projects, which is commonly known as the 20 percent Development Fund, and to allocate funds for programs, projects, and activities as mandated by pertinent laws.”
Under the memorandum, the LGUs are enjoined to fully cooperate in the implementation of the results-oriented based monitoring and evaluation system that will be established by the oversight agencies or other national government agencies for the assessment of their performance in the delivery of devolved functions and services.
The responsibility and accountability in the disbursement of funds shall rest upon the local chief executive and other local officials concerned, according to the memorandum.
“It is also the responsibility of the said local officials to ensure that the funds are utilized strictly in accordance with applicable budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations, and the provisions of the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) and other pertinent laws,” the memorandum read. (PNA)
