President Marcos has told local leaders in Cebu not to be distracted by issues that would only deter their work in public service as he received from them a manifesto of support for his administration half way through his term.

Marcos reminded the governors and mayors of Cebu to implement priority projects on time and ensure that these initiatives were thoroughly studied.

"We must not waste precious time to deliver the reforms that people need," Marcos said in his speech during a lunch with Visayas governors and One Cebu officials in Cebu City on Thursday, Jan. 30.

"Let’s not be distracted by issues that would only deter our work and affect the people who are counting on us," he told them.

The President stressed that their effectivity as elected public officials is defined by how they remain true to their mandate to serve, to lead, and empower Filipinos.

"Let us remember that the true essence of our democracy unfolds not just in the casting of the ballot, but in the everyday actions and decisions that we make as lawmakers and policy implementers in the service of the public," Marcos said.

In his speech, Marcos also cited the need to have a mechanism where the wealth of big corporations trickles down to the society, translating to improved services, modern infrastructure, and better livelihood.

"We must take the initiative so that distribution of wealth is – has a mechanism because without such a mechanism there is no such thing as trickle down. And the economists amongst us have – I’ve seen this in the past where the theory was that if big corporations are wealthy, that wealth will trickle down," he stressed.

"Well, it will only do so with the initiatives that are brought in by our local government officials and our public servants. It does not happen by itself. It happens because you all make it happen," he added.

During the event, the Chief Executive received the manifesto signed by Visayas governors and One Cebu officials as an expression of support to his administration.

Marcos, in his speech, told them that "it is something that I will carry in my heart to my dying day," thanking the local officials of their trust, confidence, and support to his administration.

"Public service becomes fulfilling when we are joined by like-minded public servants—each of us committed to the noble goal of building a more reliable, a more efficient, a more compassionate government," he said.

The President also cited the economic growth in the Visayas, saying that the Central Visayas Region has ranked as the fastest growing region in the country, growing at 7.3 percent in 2023.

He further said that the Eastern Visayas has also shown a remarkable 6.4 percent growth, faster than the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the same year.