By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called on local chief executives to be watchdogs of the national government, ensuring that the administration’s projects are properly executed to prevent misuse of public funds.
During the oath-taking of the newly elected officers of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) at Malacañang, Marcos said the LPP must serve as “guide, voice, and conscience” to help end the cycle of anomalies in the government.
“Kaya’t hinihikayat ko kayo: Paglingkuran natin nang buong katapatan ang sambayanan; tiyakin natin nasa wasto ang mga proyekto na [ipinatutupad] ng pambansang pamahalaan at ng lalawigan; at isiwalat natin kung may makikitang taliwas,” he said in his speech.
“Dahil ang pera ng sambayanan ay pera ng bayan, hindi sa pansariling interes,” he added.
The President made the call amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, prompting lifestyle checks among government officials under the Executive Branch, beginning with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Sa paraang ito, maitatatag natin ang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan ang bawat Pilipino ay may pagkakataong umunlad, may seguridad sa kinabukasan, at may tiwala sa pamahalaan,” he said.
Marcos also urged local government units (LGUs) to adopt the “zero balance billing” (ZBB) policy in local hospitals to ease medical costs of their constituents—in line with the administration’s goal to ensure accessible and affordable health care for all Filipinos.
Currently, the “Bayad na Bill Mo” Program is being implemented across 78 hospitals operated by the Department of Health (DOH), where patients admitted to basic accommodation will not have to pay out-of-pocket expenses upon discharge.
“Ang aking samo ay maging laganap din ito sa mga hospital sa ilalim ng lokal na pamahalaan. Kung saan, hindi kailangan maglabas ng pera ang mga naghihirap nating may sakit,” he said.
The Chief Executive has visited several DOH hospitals to oversee the ZBB process, including the Eastern Visayas Medical Center and East Avenue Medical Center in August, and most recently, the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center.
-jpv
