Go for long-term, ambitious projects, municipal officials urged

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.  (INQUIRER.net file photo /Ryan Leagogo)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday instructed elected municipal officials to actively create ambitious projects that go beyond their terms. 

Speaking at the  2024 General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in Pasay City, Marcos told the local leaders that they are at the frontlines of government service. 

“In that way serve the greater good, instead of meekly settling for short gestation periods that are only high in optics and in gimmickry. It is about going for ambitious projects that span several terms, without regard for who will inaugurate them when completed, instead of picking ones that are ribbon-cutting ready before elections and the campaign,” said Marcos.

Municipal officials are familiar with the situation on the ground, said Marcos.  The President said that the government is still committed to supporting local communities, with nearly P2.09 trillion allotted for social services. 

“Municipalities should not be treated as passive receivers of projects from the National Government. You must actively incubate your own initiatives, your own projects,” said Marcos. 

“Because programs developed by municipalities from below, by leaders who know the conditions on the ground, are better than those policies that are dictated from above, from the ivory towers, from the height of the halls of power because you understand the situation in your area better than anybody else,” said Marcos.