Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged local government units (LGUs) to be open to innovations and work with the private sector to employ “the best solutions for our people.”
During the mass oathtaking of newly elected officers and directorate members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in Malacañang, Marcos told the mayors to welcome partnerships with the private sector to attain the government’s bid for infrastructure development and digital transformation.
“In seeking and employing the best solutions for our people, let us be open to all the latest innovations, new ideas and fresh perspectives,” Marcos said in his speech.
“Let us include private partnerships to maximize the service that we give to the people. Let us use that to implement critical projects in each locality, especially those related to infrastructure and digitalization,” he added.
The President assured the local leaders of the national government’s support amid their preparations for the implementation of the full transfer of responsibilities to the LGUs.
He said the provision of the Local Government Support Fund-Growth Equity Fund (LGSF-GEF) would ensure that “no LGUs [would be] left behind” in the full devolution of functions.
The LGSF-GEF Program will benefit about 430 LGUs consisting of three provinces, seven cities, 150 municipalities, and 270 barangays from 2022 to 2023.
The program aims to provide additional funding to LGUs identified as poor, disadvantaged, and lagging to support the implementation of their priority projects and services.
“As we prepare for the full devolution of this year, let me assure you that this national government will do, to the best of our ability, to help you meet the demands of this devolution, including the realization of your respective transition plans,” Marcos said.
Marcos also reminded the LMP officials of their role as “just and morally upright” leaders who aim to give their constituents a comfortable life.
“Together, may we take good care of the trust placed in us by adhering to our pledge to be just and morally upright leaders as we strive to realize our goals for our beloved nation,” he said.
Mayor Joseph Bernos of La Paz, Abra, takes the helm as national president, following LMP president emeritus Luis Singson of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, who served from 2019 to 2022.
The LMP was created under Section 496 of the Local Government Code of 1991 with the mandate to “organize for the primary purpose of ventilating, articulating and crystallizing issues affecting municipal government administration, and securing, through proper and legal means, solutions thereto.”