By Roy Pelovello

PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday urged local government executives to use their share from the additional P40-billion Internal Revenue Allotment for projects that would help shield their constituents from the global economic crisis.

Speaking at the 18th Vice Mayors League of the Philippines National Convention at the Pyrce Plaza Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, she said the government is also doing its part but is counting on the LGUs to step up and help in addressing the economic crisis? effects.

With the P40 billion in additional IRA, Mrs. Arroyo said ?local governments today are more empowered as in any times in recent history.?

There are 82 provinces, 136 cities, 1,485 municipalities and 41,886 barangays in the country.

?Just this year, you?ll have your share of the 2006 [VAT] collections. Because we had a P100-billion increase in VAT every year since 2006, this year, for the first time you are going to have your biggest increase in IRA of P40 billion,? President Arroyo said.

?The vice mayor as the chief legislator of his town or city holds great power in directing how the IRA will be used. And it?s clear that our success [in addressing the global crisis] will only come through team efforts,? she added.

?Let us all band together to shoulder the responsibilities of [ensuring the future of] your cities and municipalities and therefore of our nation through these challenging times,? she added.

The President also thanked the local government officials for ?aligning? their priorities with those of the national government.

On Wednesday, President Arroyo expressed confidence that the government?s P330-billion economic resiliency plan would work and protect the country from the effects of the global economic crisis.

But she said the government is ready to ?innovate,? or make changes in its plans if the situation requires it.

Last year, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said for 2009, the share of local governments from national government revenues will increase by P40 billion or to P271.1 billion from the 2008 level of P231.7 billion.