Devolved but undelivered

Filipinos have started to realize that the Local Government Code that promoted the devolution of various programs from national to local government was one huge mistake, and nowhere is that huge mistake more evident than in the area of agriculture.

Unlike health and education where LGUs have no choice but to deliver basic services to their voters and family members, not all LGUs are dependent on agriculture or have a need to deliver programs and services. Many provincial governments, cities and municipalities prefer urbanization and commercialization. While in areas where farms and farmers are still a major presence, many local officials are ignorant or disenchanted with agricultural development, or simply ignorant. They would rather buy and sell real estate than fertilize the soil.

Yes, agricultural services have been devolved but they are undelivered! This being the case, why is there no auditing, reporting or evaluation of failed or undelivered services covered by the Local Government Code? Because of devolution, the Department of Agriculture (DA) was robbed of authority and operating funds to carry on delivering services that they have done for decades.

This massive failure to deliver or indifference has contributed to increased poverty of farmers, not to mention lowered productivity of Philippine agriculture. In some LGUs, farms and farmers have even become victims of petty extortion and corruption by way of restrictive ordinance or permits for every little thing.

So, where’s all the money going? Why is no one being held accountable for failing to deliver devolved services for education, health and especially agriculture? I respectfully suggest to DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel to form a task force or professional research group either from UP Los Baños or ask Malacañang to study and investigate how extensive the damage has been due to devolved but undelivered services. Sec. Laurel can then sit down with DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos to discuss the matter.

If LGUs are remiss in or incapable of delivering the mandate of devolved services, then it only follows that those LGUs should surrender the authority and responsibility as well as any funding for such services.