PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday called on local leaders to “remain worthy of the trust and confidence” of the Filipino people, as he assured them that they were not alone in their mission to transform their communities.
In his speech during the Local Governance Summit 2024 in Pasay City, Marcos told local chief executives to be effective stewards of communities in order to drive progress in their respective areas.
Marcos said, “The national government is always here to assist and to find ways for you in your specific communities how we can improve this situation.”
Further, he said that the national government relies on the guidance and service of local officials to uplift the citizens’ quality of life.
“I [expect] that you will continue to be accountable, reliable, and efficient in bringing our people closer to the opportunities that they all deserve,” the President said.
“Your cooperation with the national government is invaluable, for it is only with your help that we can achieve our shared aspirations. So as leaders, let us remain worthy of the trust and confidence of our fellow Filipinos,” he added.
Marcos also expects that LGUs will look at the summit as an opportunity to transform their communities, especially through technology.
“This is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the huge responsibility that we all hold in our hands — the ability to transform our respective communities and the lives of those that are in those communities,” Marcos said.
Marcos encouraged LGUs to “make use of all the latest tools and strategies to explore and improve our daily operations,” noting that this applies to infrastructure, urban planning, and applying for a business permit.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the Local Governance Summit 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Aug. 23, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the Local Governance Summit 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Aug. 23, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the Local Governance Summit 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Aug. 23, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the Local Governance Summit 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Aug. 23, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN
To bolster this digitalization of local processes, Marcos said the government is conducting caravans nationwide to promote the adoption by LGUs of the eLGU system as their electronic business one-stop shop, making government transactions convenient for the general public.
“I think we are all familiar with the delays that sometimes people have to suffer for very simple documentation. Well, I think the digital world is going to provide us the solutions to those problems,” Marcos said.
“And to make us more efficient and so that the process of interchange between our people and the government, both at the local and the national level becomes better, becomes easier, and more efficient,” he added.
Spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the summit seeks to enhance collaboration between national and local governments.
With the theme, “LGUs sa Bagong Pilipinas: Smart. Resilient. Driven.,” the event brings together local leaders and stakeholders to explore innovative approaches and share best practices in governance and public service.
It also aims to update LGUs and stakeholders on the latest developments in governance, share best practices on digital transformation and climate resilience, and strengthen LGUs’ capabilities in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.
To recognize the government’s Lupon, which makes an invaluable impact on the peace and order in the community, Marcos said he recently signed Executive Order (EO) 68, strengthening the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards System and reorganizing the National Awards Committee.
Under the new EO, he said that the number of award categories increased from four to 10, which includes the Hall of Fame and Peace Champion awards.
This year, Marcos said the government targets to issue the order amending EO 138, s. 2021, “with clearer parameters on the functions, services and facilities that are to be devolved.”
“Once we have clearly defined the parameters of devolution, our LGUs will have greater capability to implement and localize the Sustainable Development Goals,” Marcos said.
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