Solon sees SC’s Mandanas decision as a game changer 

BOHOL’S PRIDE. First district Rep. Edgar Chatto (left) is considered one of the six governance and public finance experts in the World Bank‘s Development Conversations forum entitled, “Devolution and Local Governance: Greater Resources for Improved Service Delivery”. The April 28, 2021  session with Chatto is part of a series of dialogues marking 75 years of partnership between the World Bank and the Philippines. Chatto was introduced by the moderator, Achim Fock (smaller photo at right) who is no less than World Bank Operations Manager for Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Contributed photo

First district Rep. Edgar Chatto saw the recent ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) in favor of the petition of Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas as a game changer for local autonomy and decentralization.

The SC ruled in favor of Mandanas regarding the computation of the share of local government units (LGU) in the internal revenue generated by the National Government.

The first district solon was invited to speak before top officials and public-private sector partners of the World Bank in a virtual conference called “Devolution and Local Governance: Greater Resources for Improved Service Delivery” on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Chatto was among the members of the panel of public finance and governance experts alongside Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and League of Provinces of the Philippines National Chairman and Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua, Asia Foundation Country Representative Sam Chittick, Assistant Professor and Research Fellow at the Philippine Institute of Research Studies Dr. Justine Diokno Sicat, former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Mel Senen Sarmiento, and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Asec. for Regional Development Greg Pineda.

“It will afford greater facility for LGUs to reach and provide services to a greater grassroots base, flexibility in crafting local development plans, and freedom to expand and improve its facilities and services,” Chatto said as he explained why the Mandanas ruling is a game changer.

World Bank Country Director of Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand Ndiamé Diop welcomed participants to the global forum participated in by local chief executives together with public finance and governance experts who discussed how the Mandanas ruling will bring improvement to people’s lives. The ruling will also create more opportunities for LGUs and the  National Government to cooperate in the country’s development goals and economic progress.

According to Diop, the conversation on decentralization and local government‘s efficiency is part of a series of dialogues marking World Bank’s 75 years of partnership with the Philippines. The views that will emerge from discussions will be valuable, the World Bank representative said.

The dialogue also had other participants like Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Cagayan De Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Alcala, Cagayan Mayor Cristina Antonio and Province of Dinagat Islands Gov. Arlene Bag-ao.

Moreover, Chatto, the lone legislator in the panel, said the lessons from the virtual discussion can be a source that will help carve policy and legislativedirection to help LGUs get the most out from the SC ruling.