President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called on governors nationwide to help fight corruption and ensure the proper implementation of government projects.
Speaking at Malacañan Palace during the oath-taking ceremony of the new officers of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), led by reelected national president South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., Marcos urged provincial leaders to serve with integrity and expose any anomalies in government projects.
“Ngayon, higit kailanman, kailangan ng bansang Pilipinas ang inyong pangunguna, pamumuno upang wakasan ang mga maling nakagisnan. [Nagsisimula] pa lang ang laban at mahaba pa ang ating tatahakin. Umaasa ako na kasama namin kayo sa bawat hakbang, sa pagsusuri sa mga proyekto, sa pagsasaliwanag sa mga [nagkukubli sa] kadiliman,” Marcos said.
He stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in public service.
“Paglingkuran natin nang buong katapatan ang sambayanan. Tiyakin natin nasa wasto ang mga proyekto na ipinapatupad ng pambansang pamahalaan at ng lalawigan. At isiwalat natin kung may makikitang taliwas dahil ang pera ng sambayanan ay pera ng bayan, hindi sa pansariling interes,” he added.
Marcos made the appeal amid ongoing investigations into flood control projects linked to anomalous and “ghost” projects. He urged the LPP to act as a “guide, voice, and conscience” in addressing governance issues as part of his vision for a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines).
“Sa paraang ito, maitatatag natin ang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan ang bawat Pilipino ay may pagkakataong umunlad, may seguridad sa kinabukasan, at may tiwala sa pamahalaan,” he said.
The President also emphasized improving government services by adopting new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. He also called for the wider implementation of the zero balance billing program in hospitals under local government units after its successful rollout in 78 Department of Health-run hospitals.
“Ang aking samo ay maging laganap din ito sa mga hospital sa ilalim ng lokal na pamahalaan kung saan hindi kailangan maglabas ng pera ang mga naghihirap nating may sakit,” Marcos said.
The LPP pledged support for Marcos’ agenda by ensuring accountability, transparency, and fairness in the implementation of national infrastructure projects. Over the next three years, the group will also focus on solid waste management, flooding caused by climate change, disaster preparedness funding, and lobbying Congress to amend the 1991 Local Government Code to enhance LGU fiscal autonomy and improve the delivery of quality social services.