Philippines: Marcos addresses local funding and senior citizen benefits

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has addressed two distinct administrative matters in the Philippines. First, the Presidential Communications Office highlighted favorable feedback from Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo regarding the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). Robredo noted the transparency and effectiveness of the fund, which channels national resources to local development needs. For the 2027 budget cycle, the executive branch is seeking P58.53 billion for the LGSF, a slight increase from the 2026 allocation.

Separately, President Marcos has directed the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) to expedite the distribution of ₱10,000 cash gifts to eligible seniors under the Expanded Centenarians Act. This directive follows complaints filed with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) by elderly individuals regarding delayed payouts. A meeting involving ARTA, the NCSC, and local government units is scheduled for August 28 to resolve the issue.