President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, September 15, ordered all government agencies to restore the rule requiring local government units (LGUs) to formally accept national projects before these can be considered complete.
Marcos said the acceptance process, which was removed under the previous administration, is an important safeguard to ensure projects are properly built before they are turned over.
“The other step, that I was a little surprised to find out, was that kapag tinanggal na iyong rule na dati na kapag may project ang national government sa isang LGU, kailangan i-accept noong mayor, kailangan i-accept noong governor, pati barangay captain,” Marcos said in his news conference.
“Ibalik natin iyon, tinanggal nila in the last administration, we are putting it back because that is one of the best safeguards that we have.”
The President explained that LGU oversight is critical because local officials, who do not profit from national projects, are in the best position to check if infrastructure meets specifications.
“Kapag nasa LGU ka hindi mo naman pinagkikitaan iyong project kaya’t maliwanag ito’y titingnan ninyo talaga,” he said.
Marcos noted that the safeguard covers all types of public works, including roads, asphalt overlays, and flood control structures.
He recalled that when he was governor, “walang puwedeng sabihing completed kung hindi accepted ng local government.”
The reinstatement of LGU approval forms part of broader reforms to address alleged corruption in infrastructure spending.
Marcos earlier unveiled the creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate questionable projects, particularly in flood control.
Headed by retired Court of Appeals justice Andy Reyes, the commission also includes former DPWH secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, SGV & Co. managing partner Rossana Fajardo, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser. It will have subpoena powers and is expected to submit its findings to the Ombudsman, DOJ, or Civil Service Commission.
Marcos stressed that these measures are aimed at ensuring that taxpayers’ money is “well spent and properly spent to the advantage of all of us.”
