PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on municipalities to join him in his mission of building a “transformational nation.”
“Municipalities are not the last outposts of the government. Rather, they form the frontlines of government service. You are the first responders to all our people, especially those in need. Municipalities are not mere implementers of national progress because you too can initiate your own programs. Municipalities should not be treated as passive receivers of projects from the national government. You must actively incubate your own initiatives, your own projects,” Marcos said in his speech during a meeting of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in Pasay City.
Marcos emphasized that local chief executives bear the responsibility of ensuring the realization of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These ambitious targets serve as the dials on the global dashboard, ensuring that nations continue to generate shared growth.
The 17 SDGs encompass a wide range of objectives, including eradicating poverty, eliminating hunger, promoting good health and well-being, providing quality education, achieving gender equality, ensuring clean water and sanitation, promoting affordable and clean energy, fostering decent work and economic growth, promoting innovation and infrastructure, reducing inequalities, building sustainable cities and communities, encouraging responsible consumption and production, taking action on climate change, protecting life below water and on land, promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions, and fostering partnerships for the goals.
Marcos emphasized that each local government unit (LGU) must act in accordance with its capabilities and the needs of its people. He highlighted the unique vantage point that each LGU has in localizing the SDGs.
“The SDGs can only be achieved through unified action. Only by working together, one municipality at a time, can we build a better Philippines and bring the Bagong Pilipinas that we dream of to fruition. And this is where the localization of SDGs matters. The best practice is to learn from each other while adapting to context,” he said.
Marcos’s call to action highlights the crucial role that municipalities play in driving national progress. By empowering municipalities to take the lead in initiating their own programs and projects, Marcos recognizes their potential to drive change from the grassroots level.
His emphasis on the SDGs underscores the importance of aligning local efforts with global objectives. The SDGs provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable development, addressing critical issues such as poverty, hunger, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.
By urging LGUs to localize the SDGs, Marcos recognizes that each municipality has its unique challenges and opportunities. Localizing the SDGs allows for tailored approaches that consider the specific needs and contexts of each community.
Marcos’s call for unified action emphasizes the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among municipalities. By learning from each other’s best practices, municipalities can adapt strategies and initiatives to suit their own contexts, accelerating progress towards the SDGs.
Ultimately, Marcos’s vision of a “transformational nation” relies on the active participation of municipalities. By empowering local governments to take the lead in driving sustainable development, Marcos recognizes the potential for lasting change that starts at the community level.
As municipalities embrace their role as the frontlines of government service, they have the opportunity to shape the future of the Philippines. Through their own initiatives and projects, municipalities can contribute to the realization of the SDGs and create a better future for all Filipinos.
Source: The Manila Times
