Marcos to LGU execs: Expose anomalies in projects, funds not for own interest

Amid issues hounding flood control projects, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday strongly urged local government officials to ensure that all projects are being properly implemented. 

In his speech during the oath taking of new officers of League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) at Malacañang, Marcos emphasized that they should publicize and disclose if there are anomalies in these projects, noting that the funds should not be used for the local chiefs' own interest. 

''Kaya't hinihikayat ko kayo, paglingkuran natin nang buong katapatan ang sambayanan. Tiyakin natin na nasa wasto ang mga proyekto na ipinapatupad ng pambansang pamahalaan at ng lalawigan,'' Marcos said.

(I urge you to honestly serve the public. Ensure that the projects of the national and local government are being properly implemented.) 

''Isiwalat natin kung may makikitang taliwas dahil ang pera ng sambayanan ay pera ng bayan at hindi pansariling interes,'' he added.

(Let us disclose if there are anomalies because these are public funds and not for one's own interest.) 

Marcos stressed that there are still pressing issues that need to be addressed, saying the country needs leaders who will end malpractices in governance. 

''May mga isyung kailangan pang harapin na hindi puwedeng talikuran—lalong-lalo na [ng] mga bagong opisyal ng LPP. Ngayon, higit kailanman, kailangan ng bansang Pilipinas ang inyong pamumuno upang wakasan ang mga maling nakagisnan,'' he said. 

(There are issues that need to be addressed, especially for the newly elected officials of the LPP. The Philippines needs your leadership in order to end the wrong practices in governance.) 

''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,'' he added. 

(We're just starting and we still have a long way to go. I am hoping that you are with us in inspecting these projects and in making our dim paths lighter.) 

According to Marcos, local officials should be the voice and conscience when it comes to implementing these projects. 

''Para sa mga bagong opisyal ng LPP: Magsisilbing gabay, magsisilbing boses at higit sa lahat, magsisilbing konsensiya,'' Marcos said. 

(To all new officials of the LPP: You will all serve as guide, voice, and conscience.) 

The LPP, which represents the country’s 82 provincial governments, fosters unity and strengthens local governance through policy collaboration and capacity-building programs.

Leading the oath taking ceremony was South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., who was reelected as LPP's national president last July 25.

He was joined by Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, who was also reelected as chairperson. 

Also elected to a three-year term were: Senior Vice-Presidents Gov. Rodolfo Albano III (Luzon North), Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. (Luzon South), Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. (Visayas), Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. (Mindanao); and Secretary-General, Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr.
 
The new set of officers will serve until July 31, 2028. 

A major advocacy that the LPP shall focus on is proposing and strongly lobbying with the 20th Congress for much-needed reforms on the provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991. — KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News