The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has unveiled the Local Government Performance Index (LGPI), a new system designed to evaluate and rank the performance of cities, municipalities, and provinces across the country.
Evaluation Criteria
The index assesses LGUs across five key areas: public service delivery, fiscal management, transparency and accountability, citizen engagement, and disaster preparedness. Each category carries equal weight in the overall score.
Incentives and Consequences
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos announced that high-performing LGUs will receive priority consideration for national government projects and additional Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) incentives. Consistently underperforming units will face administrative reviews.
"This is not about punishing local officials. It's about setting standards and encouraging a culture of excellence in local governance," Secretary Abalos clarified during the launch ceremony.
Data-Driven Approach
The LGPI will utilize data from multiple sources, including the Commission on Audit, civil society organizations, and citizen satisfaction surveys. Third-party validators will ensure the accuracy and integrity of assessments.
Initial Rankings
Preliminary assessments covering 2024 performance will be released in March 2025. The full index, including all 1,700+ LGUs, will be published annually starting in 2026.
LGU Reactions
The League of Cities of the Philippines and League of Municipalities have expressed general support for the initiative while requesting additional capacity-building assistance for LGUs facing resource constraints.