Newly-elected officials told: Set aside politics, improve delivery of public service
By Chito Chavez
(Photo: DILG)
Newly-elected officials (NEO) should rise above politics and personal interests, and start prioritizing measures that will improve the living conditions of their constituents, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
During the kick-off ceremony of the NEO PLUS (Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service) Program on Wednesday, July 9, DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla told the delegates that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has strongly batted for a stronger collaboration between the national and local governments to foster growth and development in the country.
“We are entrusted by the people and it is a mandate. And the mandate carries not only the capacity to rule, but also the trust, hope, and confidence that you'll make their lives better,” Remulla stated.
The activity was led by the DILG’s Local Government Academy (LGA).
Addressing provincial governors and city mayors from Metro Manila, Remulla challenged the country’s new local leaders to cut through the noise of online discourse and set an example of hope and good governance on the ground.
“The enemy of cynicism is nothing else but hope. Hope when they see that you build new schools and provide better education. Hope when you give scholarships. Hope when you give free medical services. Hope when they see that there is a direction that the province is leading," he added.
The DILG chief added: “The Bagong Pilipinas [vision] means a path forward. It means on to the new. I hope that the Local Government Academy does that – teach you to look for the path forward. Because in this world of great cynicism, hope must win.”
Remulla further urged the delegates to exemplify “unity of purpose and leadership that transcends partisanship.”