Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
In a move to bolster local economic growth and attract more strategic investments, Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Edwin C. Ongchuan has introduced a bill aimed at institutionalizing the position of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officer (LEDIPO) across all local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines.
The proposed legislation, tagged as House Bill 602, seeks to amend the Republic Act No. 7160, commonly known as the “Local Government Code of 1991,” to ensure the permanent placement of LEDIPOs in provincial, city, and first- and second-class municipal governments. For municipalities of the third to sixth class, the appointment of LEDIPOs will remain optional.
This strategic position was initially encouraged in a 2010 memorandum from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which aimed to cultivate a more business-friendly environment to draw local and foreign investors. Successive directives, including the designation of PPP Sub-Committees chaired by LEDIPOs, aimed to align local investment strategies with national economic goals.
The need for a permanent LEDIPO role has been highlighted by inconsistent policies and programs resulting from the temporary nature of current LEDIPO appointments, which are subject to changes with new local administration. This bill is designed to provide continuity and stability, preventing the disruption of economic initiatives and ensuring sustained development across local sectors.
Representative Ongchuan, who served as Governor of Northern Samar from 2019-2025, expressed that this reform is crucial, especially as LGUs endeavor to recover and fortify their local economies post-global disruptions. “By making the LEDIPO position permanent, we aim to institutionalize a robust framework for economic growth that can withstand administrative turnovers,” he stated.
The bill also outlines stringent qualification criteria for LEDIPOs, ensuring that only highly experienced and educated individuals can undertake these critical roles. According to the proposed amendments, these officers will be responsible for formulating local investment codes, facilitating economic projects, and promoting their LGUs as prime investment locations.
In conjunction with the enforcement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.โs Executive Order No. 18, s. 2023, which establishes “Green Lanes” to expedite strategic investments, this bill will potentially transform local economic landscapes by making them more competitive and investment-friendly.
Ongchuan hopes that the bill progressed to the discussions stage in the Philippine Congress, with expectations for swift approval to enact the changes necessary for economic resilience and sustainable development across the nation’s diverse localities.
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