Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed support for the directive issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which requires all national agencies to secure permits from local government units before implementing infrastructure projects.

“This directive is a vital step in ensuring that every government initiative is responsive to the needs, priorities, and safety of our citizens,” she said in a statement on Monday, August 25.

“ It strengthens the intent of the Local Government Code, which mandates meaningful participation of LGUs in the planning and implementation of projects that directly affect their constituencies,” she added.

Even before this national directive, Quezon City had already institutionalized the same principle through City Ordinance No. SP-2939, S-2020, which mandates all national government agencies, offices, and corporations to coordinate with the City Government before implementing projects within its jurisdiction.

Under the said ordinance, securing a Certificate of Coordination from the Office of the Mayor is a prerequisite for permit issuance. This process ensures that every project undergoes public consultation, aligns with local development plans, and safeguards citywide systems before any work begins.

“In Quezon City, this process guarantees consistency with our Drainage Master Plan and other long-term strategies, while safeguarding the responsible and efficient use of public funds derived from the hard-earned taxes of our people,” Belmonte said.

“By institutionalizing this balance of equality and interdependence, we uphold the integrity of our communities while advancing our shared national vision,” she added.