President Bongbong Marcos used the Galing Pook Awards in Malacañang on Wednesday to underscore the need for clean, transparent, and accountable governance — remarks that carried added weight as his administration faces a growing scandal over defective and overpriced flood control projects.
Speaking before award-winning barangay leaders, Marcos said rebuilding public trust requires clear processes and accountability.
“Kapag malinaw ang proseso, lumalakas ang tiwala. Kapag may pananagutan, tumataas ang respeto. At kapag inuuna natin ang kapakanan ng taumbayan, sumusunod ang pag-unlad,” the President said.
Marcos earlier ordered broad investigations into the questionable flood control projects, prompting contractors, lawmakers, and agencies to justify alleged irregular spending and substandard construction.
The President highlighted barangay innovation as a model the national bureaucracy should emulate, praising local programs for their transparency and impact.
“Ang gaganda nitong proyekto ninyo… Hindi namin naisip sa national government. Sa barangay lang talaga manggagaling ito,” he told the awardees.
This year’s Galing Pook Awards — the first in 30 years to focus solely on barangays — showcased initiatives in river rehabilitation, solar-powered systems, disaster preparation, and student reintegration.
Marcos urged government agencies to study and replicate grassroots solutions, saying effective local governance offers lessons for national reform.