President Marcos has called on provincial governors to actively expose irregularities in government projects while also adopting programs that will ease the financial burden on Filipino families.

Marcos said this following his disclosure of anomalous and “ghost” flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which are now subject to investigation.

In his speech during the oath-taking of the newly elected officers of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) in Malacañan on Wednesday, Sept. 3, the President stressed that governors must serve with integrity as frontliners of public service.

“Kaya’t hinihikayat ko kayo: Paglingkuran natin nang buong katapatan ang sambayanan; tiyakin natin nasa wasto ang mga proyekto na ipinapatupad ng pambansang pamahalaan at ng lalawigan; at isiwalat natin kung may makikitang taliwas (That is why I urge you: Serve the people with utmost honesty; ensure that national and provincial projects are in order; and expose any wrongdoing you discover),” he said.

“Ngayon, higit kailanman, kailangan ng bansang Pilipinas ang inyong pamumuno upang wakasan ang mga maling nakagisnan (Now, more than ever, the Philippines needs your leadership to end long-standing wrong practices),” he added.

President Marcos told the governors to serve as “conscience” and confront critical challenges to build a better future for all Filipinos.

“Nagsisimula pa lang ang laban at mahaba pa ang ating tatahakin (The fight had just begun, and we have a long journey ahead),” he said.

“Umaasa ako na kasama namin kayo sa bawat hakbang, sa pagsusuri sa mga proyekto, sa pagsasaliwanag sa mga nagkukubli sa kadiliman (We expect that you will be with us in every step of the way — in examining projects and exposing those hiding in the darkness),” he added.

At the same event, President Marcos urged local governments to implement zero balance billing in their hospitals, replicating a Department of Health (DOH) program that has been rolled out in 78 facilities nationwide.

“Ang aking samo ay maging laganap din ito sa mga ospital sa ilalim ng lokal na pamahalaan (My request is for this program to spread to local government hospitals as well),” he said.

“Kung saan, hindi kailangan maglabas ng pera ang mga naghihirap nating may sakit (So our poor patients will no longer have to pay out of pocket),” he said.

The program exempts patients confined in basic ward accommodations from paying hospital bills, a move Marcos said was crucial in making healthcare accessible and affordable.

The President personally inspected hospitals such as Bataan General Hospital, Eastern Visayas Medical Center, and East Avenue Medical Center to monitor the implementation.

Meanwhile, President Marcos commended the LPP for its consistent support of government initiatives, citing its backing of digitalization reforms and affordable rice distribution programs. He said their commitment to unity and service had been evident since the league’s establishment in 1987.

“Simula nang maitatag ang LPP noong 1987, nagkaroon ang lahat ng mga lalawigan sa bansa ng iisang tinig para sa iisang adhikain: ang kaunlaran ng bawat Pilipino saanmang panig ng mundo (Since the LPP was founded in 1987, all provinces in the country have spoken with one voice for one goal: the progress of every Filipino wherever they may be in the world),” he said.

The President reflected on his own experience as governor of Ilocos Norte, saying it taught him how to prioritize projects in times of crisis. He urged the new LPP leaders to be “guides, voices, and consciences” of the people.

The new set of LPP officers, elected last July 25, will serve until 2028 under the leadership of reelected national president South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., alongside other governors from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.