MANILA — “Kaya’t hinihikayat ko kayo: Paglingkuran natin nang buong katapatan ang sambayanan; tiyakin natin nasa wasto ang mga proyekto na ipinapatupad ng pambansang pamahalaan at ng lalawigan; at isiwalat natin kung may makikitang taliwas.”
Thus, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. exhorted on the newly inducted officials of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) to serve with integrity and to actively expose any irregularities in projects implemented by both national and local governments. This, in the wake of the mounting controversies on flood control projects.
Marcos Jr. made his call at the oath-taking ceremony of the LPP officials at Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang Palace on Sept. 3.
The president stressed that public funds are meant for the welfare of the nation and not for personal gain.
It was Marcos Jr. himself that exposed irregularities in the Department of Public Works and Highways flood control projects, which prompted a thorough investigation into the matter.
The chief executive expressed outrage upon seeing some “ghost” flood mitigation projects, warning that the private contractors involved would be blacklisted and could face charges of economic sabotage.
“Ngayon, higit kailanman, kailangan ng bansang Pilipinas ang inyong pamumuno upang wakasan ang mga maling nakagisnan,” Marcos Jr. said. “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.”
President Marcos told the governors to serve as “conscience” and confront critical challenges to build a better future for all Filipinos.
“Para sa mga bagong opisyal ng LPP: Magsisilbing gabay. Magsisilbing boses. At higit sa lahat, magsilbi kayong konsensya,” he said.
“Sa paraang ito, maitatatag natin ang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan ang bawat Pilipino ay may pagkakataong umunlad, may seguridad sa kinabukasan, at may tiwala sa pamahalaan,” the president Marcos ended. PCO
