President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged elected officials to maintain a positive impact on their constituents even after their terms have ended.
President Marcos made the call during the End-Term General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Manila Hotel.
“Today we are convened here as leaders and public servants who have dedicated our years and, in many cases our lives, to civil service. For many of us, this is a calling and it is a lifelong commitment to serve our people,” the President told thousands of local leaders at the meeting.
The President acknowledged municipal mayors as essential first responders in governance, stressing their role in connecting people with the national government, especially during critical times.
“Our municipal mayors, you are the frontlines of governance. You are the first to hear the concerns of our people, the first to act on their needs, and the first to bear the weight of their expectations,” the President said.
He reflected on his journey as a public servant, from being a local official to becoming a senator and President.
“Public service has defined much of my life. I have had the privilege of serving in various capacities—as a legislator, as a governor, and now as President,” he said. ”
” Throughout these years, one thing has remained constant: The challenges before us are always great, but the opportunity to create lasting change is even greater.”
The President said that more local government units (LGUs) could achieve the highest standards due to initiatives introduced by municipal mayors in assessing financial sustainability under the Seal of Good Local Governance.
In 2024, the number of local government units (LGUs) increased from 493 to 714. The President called this growth “a clear sign that more local governments are enhancing fiscal discipline and transparency.”
Building on their hard work, the President cited the contributions of local officials in streamlining and digitizing bureaucracy through the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS).
Already, 113 LGUs have complied, and 1,203 others initiated automation efforts to enhance their transactions in 2024, he said.
The government developed the eLGU as a ready-to-use eBOSS platform, which was adopted by 741 LGUs in the same year.
During the assembly, the President spoke about the Kalinga at Inisyatiba Para sa Malinis na Bayan (KALINISAN) sa Bagong Pilipinas Program, which involves over 22,000 barangays participating in regular cleaning activities.
The President expressed hopes that local public officials will continue to adopt and sustain the national government reforms even after their tenure.
He urged the municipal mayors to strengthen their partnership beyond their terms of office so that governance continues to foster prosperity and public service endures.
“Dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, hangad natin ang tunay at pangmatagalang pagbabago para sa lahat ng Pilipino. At ang pagbabago ay hindi lamang tungkulin ng gobyerno, kundi ng bawat mamamayan,” the President said.
“So, together we will forge a legacy of leadership, not only measured by words but by livelihoods created, by lives improved, by dreams that have been realized. A legacy that will uplift our people today and empower our nation for many many generations to come,” he added. | PND
