44% in 6 yearsThe Philippine government’s borrowings jumped 27.2 percent from P9.37 trillion a year ago, with the COVID-19 pandemic pushing higher government spending. Second, because of the pandemic, our national debt has ballooned,” Lacson said. Empower local governmentsHe reiterated his call to empower local governments around the country with enough funds for development projects as they take on more responsibilities as mandated by the Supreme Court. Lacson has been pushing for more support to local governments through his Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment proposal. “No one else knows the needs and priorities of [local governments] better than the local officials,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 31, 2021 09:33 UTC