Manila Marriott Hotel, Pasay City
February 27, 2024

“Only by working together, one municipality at a time, can we build a better Philippines and bring the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ that we dream into fruition,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said, urging the local chief executives to play a proactive role in achieving sustainable development and addressing local issues during the 2024 League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) General Assembly held at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

Speaking before 1,058 municipal mayors, President Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of municipalities as the ‘frontliners of government service,’ and called on the local leaders to incubate their own initiatives and not be passive implementers of national programs.

“International and national agencies may have the big picture, but you, our municipal mayors, have the clearer lens to craft and implement programs and projects that are aligned with the SDGs to improve the quality of life of your constituents,” he said.

The Chief Executive highlighted the need for policies to rise from the bottom up to effectively meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating that local governments understand their situations better than anyone.

In line with the 17 SDGs, he reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to pursuing rapid growth that uplifts the poor and rewards productivity without compromising future generations. He discussed the allocation of PhP457.41 billion for climate change expenditures in 2024, with significant investment in water security, sustainable energy and environmental stability, as well as a total of PhP2.09 trillion for social services.

“The National Government cannot act alone. It must harness the power of LGUs, as well as civil society organizations, the private sector and communities, towards achieving the SDGs within the committed timeline,” he urged.

Acknowledging the challenges presented by the changing global economy and advancements in technology, the President stressed the importance of transforming the bureaucracy, strengthening partnerships between the government and private sectors, and unifying national and local government efforts.

President Marcos Jr. concluded his message by reassuring the LMP of the national government’s support and openness to listening to the needs of local governments. He encouraged the mayors to share not only their challenges but also their suggested solutions, and to work together towards a ‘Bagong Pilipinas.’

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