PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday called for a “for more prudent use of government money and assets” as he stressed the importance of closer cooperation and better collaboration between the national government and local government units (LGUs) to maximize efforts to address challenges confronting the country.
The President, during the call of Manila officials led by Mayor Ma. Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan, said there would be less wastage in resources and no unnecessary duplication of programs, projects or services, if there is better coordination between the national and local governments.
A press release issued by the Office of the Press Secretary said that “because of the scarcity of resources, the President called for more prudent use of government money and assets.
Marcos, noting said a lot of Filipinos are poor and need help, said, “We have to be very careful on how we deploy what resources that we have. And again, to maximize those resources we have to be in very close coordination, both the national government and local government such as the City of Manila.”
Marcos said the national government can hardly reach the grassroots without the assistance of LGUs.
“That’s why it is extremely important that the local government and the national government work very, very closely so that we maximize all our efforts to alleviate the problems that our people face — the rising cost of food, fuel,” he said.
Marcos, who once served as governor of Ilocos Norte, has vowed to ensure closer coordination between the national and local governments and that LGUs are empowered.
The President said among the problems of national concern include poverty while the common problems faced by LGUs are water management and traffic congestion.
Marcos said there are also some LGUs that have specific concerns that are not experienced by other LGUs, which is why it is important to identify these issues so that the national government can help provide solutions or assistance.
