At gov’t summit, Marcos tells local execs to remain trustworthy

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attends the Local Governance Summit in Pasay City on August 23, 2024. (Photo courtesy of MARINDUQUE BOARD MEMBER ISHMAEL LIM)

MANILA, Philippines (Updated) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday reminded local officials to remain “worthy of trust and confidence” of their constituents as he led the first-ever local government summit that aims to advance the country’s development plan from 2023 to 2028.

Marcos attended the second day of the Local Government Summit 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“I am always happy to be with you, especially with the local government executives, because I always consider local government to be, in fact, my natural habitat,” Marcos, who served as a governor of Ilocos Norte, said in his speech.

The summit, which began on Thursday, was attended by around 2,500 local chief executives and local elective officials on the first day, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said in a statement on Friday.

DILG said the second day of the summit will also see around 3,440 participants.

But unlike the first day, when only mayors and other elected officials showed up, local administrators and other local government employees will be present on the second day as well.

“I look forward that you will continue to be accountable, reliable, and efficient in bringing our people closer to the opportunities that they all deserve,” Marcos said, addressing local government officials and employees.

“Your cooperation with the national government is invaluable for it is only with your help that we can achieve our shared aspirations,” he went on. “As leaders, let us remain worthy of the trust and confidence of our fellow Filipinos.”

The officials and government workers, along with cabinet secretaries of relevant agencies, held several plenary sessions.

They tackled issues about digital transformation, smart urban infrastructure, climate, and disaster resilience.

“This is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the huge responsibility that we all hold in our hands — the ability to transform our respective communities and the lives of those that are in those communities under the banner of [a] Bagong Pilipinas,” Marcos said.

“This is the moment to rise as effective stewards of your respective localities, to drive progress in your communities, [and] to nurture a culture of collaboration amongst concerned stakeholders,” the chief executive added.

Such initiatives are in line with the government’s goal to advance the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) of 2023–2028.

This plan aims to “reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on a high-growth path,” according to the PDP’s website.