President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. told local legislators to do away with corrupt practices and urged them to support several priority measures he hopes to be passed under his term. Marcos made the statement during his speech at the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) National Convention 2023 in Pasay City on Wednesday night, March 9. "Never surrender to any form of temptation that will taint your integrity. Remember as public servants, we must uphold transparency and accountability in our work," Marcos said. "Apart from inhibiting yourself from corrupt practices, I also urge you to avoid unjust and dangerous acts that put the bureaucracy in a state of decay," he added. The President reminded them "aside from commission, omission, too, remains an offense and a form of deception against our constituents."

Lobbying priority bills

Marcos enjoined the councilors to focus on tasks deemed beneficial for the people and push for concrete ways to address the needs of every sector in the society. As he stressed the councilors' obligations to engage in meaningful discussions and matters involving local legislative concerns, he brought up several measures that his administration is pushing. He encouraged them to support the passage of the administration's legislative priorities, particularly measures that aim to capacitate local government units. Among these are the E-Governance Act, which will institutionalize digitalization in the bureaucracy and make it easier for Filipinos to transact with their government and the amendment to the Build-Operate-Transfer Law that aims to address ambiguities, bottlenecks, and other challenges in implementing the law. The chief executive also invited them to join him in lobbying for the passage of the National Land Use Act to  effectively help manage the country’s land and water resources. "However, pending its passage, I encourage you to harmonize, standardize, and set policies and rules related to land use. Effective implementation of land use-related policies optimizes the potential of land resources and it would stimulate economic development in your respective localities," he said. Marcos further enjoined the local legislators to support the Tax Package 3 or the Valuation Reform Bill to ensure the development of a just equitable and efficient  real property valuation system and the passage of the Waste Treatment technology Act which will pave the way for modern options in solving the persistent garbage problem of the country.

Bring gov't closer to people

The President has emphasized that the local government units "have a much vital role as the national government" in addressing urgent concerns that lead to inflationary pressures in the country. Thus, he encouraged them to bring the government closer to the people. "I also encourage you to continue bringing the government closer to the people by formulating programs, projects, and activities that nurture the wellbeing of the people," he said. "Instead of mobilizing your people to troop, to go to urban communities and other centers of activity, let us bring ourselves to the far-flung areas to  make governance more accessible and convenient for everyone," he said. He assured them that his administration will support them in formulating, implementing, and coordinating programs and projects beneficial to the local government and the people.