"Bawal ang tamad at makupad."

This was President Marcos' number one order to government workers as he assured Filipinos that under the banner of the Bagong Pilipinas, change would begin from the government.

Marcos said this as he spoke before at least 100,000 attendees of the Bagong Pilipinas kick-off rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday, Jan. 28.

In his speech, the President said Bagong Pilipinas was not a mere slogan of the government but a master plan for genuine development that benefits all people, not just a privileged few.

To achieve this, Marcos said the government must lead by example and keep the people from doing all the work.

"It can only succeed with the people's participation. It can only succeed if the government will demonstrate the fortitude to do the hard work," he said.

"And for this, I pledge— [the] government will neither ask the people for sacrifices it will not exact first upon itself or impose a burden that is heavier than what people can carry," he added.

"Sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang pagbabago ay magsisimula sa pamahalaan (Under the Bagong Pilipinas, change will start from the government). While power emanates from the people, change must begin from the government," he continued.

'Don't be lazy'

To achieve the vision of the Bagong Pilipinas, the President said government workers should not be lazy or dilly-dally.

"Bawal ang tamad at makupad sa pamahalaan. Walang puwang ang mga mabagal at sagabal sa serbisyo publiko (Being lazy and slow is not acceptable in government. There is not place for them in public service)," he said, earning the cheers of the audience.

"Services must be fast. Projects must be completed on time; deadlines must be met per schedule. Distress calls must be responded to without delay," he added, noting that government workers should not be grumpy and work with a smile.

President Marcos also addressed red tape in government, saying processing must be reduced.

"In whatever government office, red tape must be replaced with a red carpet," he said.

"Complex requirements and the processing time must be reduced," he added.

'Don't cheat the people'

Marcos said thieves are not allowed in his government as corruption equals stealing from the people.

"Bawal ang mga hindi tapat at nangungulimbat (The dishonest at corrupt are not allowed)," he said.

"Kapag pera ng bayan ang nawala dahil sa katiwalian, ang mga taong paglalaanan sana ng pondong naglaho ay nananakawan (When taxpayers' money go missing due to corruption, the people who would have benefitted from the funds are being robbed)," he added.

With this, President Marcos vowed that budget preparations would be transparent.

"Ang paghahanda lalo na ang paggugol ng budget ng bayan ay bukas sa publiko at hindi ikinukubli (Budget preparations and allocations would be open to the public and would not be concealed)," he said.

"Walang parte nito ang kinukupit o sinusubi (No part of it are being pickpocketed)," he added.

'Serve the people'

Lastly, President Marcos reminded government workers that they work for the people and not the other way around.

"Bawal ang mga pang-aapi at paghahari-harian (Oppression is not allowed)," he said.

"You are servants of the people, not their lords," he added.

Marcos asked the people to repay their trust with honest service instead of letting them suffer.

"'Wag nating pahirapan ang taumbayan, bagkus, suklian ang kanilang tiwala ng magalang na panunungkulan (Let us not make their lives difficult but repay their trust with honest service)," he said.