Marcos: Genuine, open public service will help gain people's trust

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday highlighted the importance of public service that is genuine, open, and with direction, noting that with this kind of service, the government will gain the trust of the public. 

The President made the remark during the 2025 Galing Pook Awards ceremony in Malacañang Palace.

''Dahil kapag malinaw – kapag malinaw ang proseso ng pamahalaan, lumalakas ang tiwala ng ating mga kababayan; kung may pananagutan, tumataas ang respeto ng mamamayan; at tuwing inuuna natin ang kapakanan ng taumbayan, sumusunod ang pag-unlad ng ating inang-bayan,'' Marcos said in his speech.

(If the process of government is clear, the public will trust the government and their respect towards the government will increase as well. If we prioritize the welfare of the public, the country's development will follow.)

''Ito ang kulturang nais nating ipalaganap sa pamahalaan, ganito ang serbisyo-publiko na dapat ramdam ng pamayanan: tapat, bukas, at may direksyon,'' he added.

(This is the culture that we want to enshrine in the government. This is the kind of public service that the country must feel: honest, open, and with direction.)

Marcos honored ten outstanding barangay initiatives, which inspire barangays and local governments across the nation to pursue governance that is innovative, inclusive and transformative, strengthening the grassroots as vital partners in national progress.

This year's event marks a historic milestone as it is the first time in more than 30 years that the search focused exclusively on the best practices of barangay local government units, which serve as the country's frontliners in public service and community empowerment.

Let us strive to continue to replicate the success of these barangay initiatives on a national scale—learning what works and strengthening the systems that uphold efficiency, participation, and transparency in government. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News