ILOILO CITY, July 20 -- Direct funding from Malacanang has empowered local government units (LGUs) to implement priority programs and projects more efficiently, according to League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) president and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday during Liga Day, which was attended by some 15,500 barangay officials from Iloilo province, Zamora said the direct release of national government assistance marks a significant shift in how support is delivered to LGUs.

"As national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, it is my responsibility to ensure that our member cities all over the country benefit from national government programs," he said.

Zamora said the country's 149 citi...