Rationale

Executive Order (EO) No. 138, s. 2021 provides for the full devolution of certain functions of the Executive Branch to local government units (LGUs). Pursuant to Section 8 of said EO, the Growth Equity Fund (GEF) shall be established to address the issues of marginalization, unequal development, high poverty incidence, and disparities in the net fiscal capacities of LGUs.

Legal Basis

Under Section 8 of Executive Order No. 138, s. 2021, the establishment of the GEF program is to address issues of marginalization, unequal development, high poverty incidence, and disparities of the net fiscal capacities of LGUs as they assume the devolved functions in the delivery of basic services and facilities.

Pursuant to Special Provision (SP) No. 4 of the LGSF under the FY 2022 GAA, RA No. 11639, funds shall be used as financial assistance for the implementation of priority projects to gradually enable the full and efficient implementation of the functions and services of concerned LGUs as provided under Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA No. 7160).

In the Veto Message of former President Duterte to the FY 2022 GAA, RA No. 11639, reiterated that the LGSF-GEF shall be executed in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the DBCC pursuant to EO No. 138, s. 2021.

Objectives

The Growth Equity Fund (GEF) aims to provide support to funding requirements of programs, projects, and activities of the poor, disadvantaged, and lagging Local Government Units (LGUs).

Status

For 2022, the Eastern Visayas Region identified 112 beneficiaries:

Province of Samar – 53

Province of Eastern Samar – 19

Province of Northern Samar – 12

Province of Leyte – 10

Province of Southern Leyte – 10

Province of Biliran – 8

All of the identified beneficiaries across provinces are currently complying their project proposals and action plans to be submitted to the DILG for review and validation.