Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday assured city and municipal officials that Malacañang is always open to everyone, regardless of their political affiliation.
Abalos said the Marcos administration is committed to working closely with local leaders, especially councilors of local government units across the country, in addressing the needs of their communities.
‘Malacañang is always open to everyone. My office is always open to everyone,’ Abalos told members of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) during their second quarterly Continuing Local Legislative Education Program (CLLEP) in Iloilo City on Wednesday.
‘We still have a lot of work to do. We will listen to you. And most importantly, we will deliver on our commitments; we will take action,’ he added.
According to Abalos, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. entrusted him with the responsibility of serving as cabinet secretary to ensure that the concerns of local governments, the private sector, and the Filipino people are heard, coordinated across agencies, and translated into concrete government action.
In his speech, Abalos acknowledged the indispensable role of city and municipal councilors in shaping development at the grassroots level.
‘All worthwhile projects begin with an ordinance,’ Abalos said.
He noted that effective local legislation lays the foundation for meaningful and lasting progress.
He urged local legislators to emulate successful initiatives implemented by other LGUs, such as Iloilo City’s rehabilitation of the Iloilo River into one of the country’s cleanest waterways. He cited it as an example of how sound policies and sustained leadership can transform communities.
Abalos also pointed to the Bataan provincial government’s solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations installed in gymnasiums as an innovative best practice that supports motorists while advancing renewable energy and sustainability.
He also encouraged local officials to maximize the use of the eGov PH app to make government services faster, more efficient, and more accessible to every Filipino.