President Marcos urged local government executives to listen to the voice of the youth as they may have inputs that veteran officials might have overlooked, especially regarding technology.

Marcos said this as he administered the oath-taking of the newly elected officers of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) National and Island Representatives in Malacañan on Wednesday morning, June 5.

In his speech, the President cited the need for the government to welcome fresh blood to supply possibly overlooked insights and lost energy.

"It is very clear that government needs to be revitalized, needs to have new blood, needs to have new ideas, needs to have that determination and energy that, maybe, the very high-ups have lost sight of," he said.

Marcos stressed the importance of the youth, especially when it comes to technology and their input must be "part of government planning."

"That kind of intuitive and instinctive knowledge from the youth is what we need," he said.

"The future is going to be technologically driven, and that is why the natural instinct of the younger people when it comes to technology is important," he added.

President Marcos likewise urged the youth to let their voices be heard.

"Kung meron kayong nakikitang mas magandang pamamaraan, sabihin ninyo. Isigaw ninyo (If you think there is a better way of doing things then tell us, shout it out)," he said.

"Yung mga matatanda hindi makikinig sa inyo pero pilitin ninyo. Kung maganda ang resulta, ano masama doon? Kung hindi matagumpay, hindi bale, next. Subukan natin ibang bagay (The old people might ignore you but keep pushing it. If it bears good result, then what's wrong with it? If not, then never mind. Let's move on to the next one and try again)," he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos assured barangay officials that they would be heard as he reminded them of their importance in delivering public service to the people.

"'Wag niyong iisipin na... 'barangay lang kami'... dahil napakahalaga ng ginagampanan ninyong katungkulan para sa ating pagpapaganda ng Pilipinas (Don't think that you're just the barangay because you play an important role in improving the Philippines)," he said.

"Nobody knows more about your barangay than you. That is why it is important that we listen to you— and we do. We will listen to you and you tell us," he added.

The President likewise raised the importance of listening to the ordinary people.

"We have to hear from the young people. We have to hear from the ordinary citizens," he said.

"What is the future that you want? What is the future that you feel we can achieve and how do you suggest we do it? These are questions we ask of the local government and I promise you, we will listen to those answers," he added.

The Local Government Code of 1991 defines the LnB as an organization of all barangays for ventilating, articulating, and crystallizing issues affecting barangay government administration and securing, through proper and legal means.

Among its functions and duties are giving priority programs designed for the barangay's development, assisting in the education of barangay residents, and supplementing the government's efforts in creating gainful employment within the barangay, among many others.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 establishes adequate, effective, responsive, and enabling mechanisms and support systems to ensure the meaningful participation of the youth in local governance and nation-building.