MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has warned local officials against turning national government programs into opportunities for political self‑promotion, stressing that the distribution of public assistance should not be used for speeches or publicity stunts.
In a video vlog, Marcos said he had been reviewing public feedback about government policies and programs, including complaints about how financial assistance or “ayuda” is distributed to beneficiaries.
One message he cited described how senior citizens and other recipients are often gathered in covered courts and made to wait for politicians who deliver speeches before aid is handed out.
“Madalas kinakailangan pa nilang hintayin ‘yung mga pulitiko na dumating dahil isa-isa pang magsasalita sa harap at paulit ulit lang naman na ipakilala ang kanilang mga sarili, nakakarindi na sa pandinig ng tao. Pwede bang tapusin na ang ganyang kalakaran?” the comment read.
“Sayang ang tanggapan ng barangay kung hindi sila pwedeng gamitin upang ihatid sa bawat bahay ng mga benepisyaryo ang ayuda para sa kanila,” it added.
Marcos said such practices must stop, especially when the assistance being distributed comes from programs funded by the national government.
“Basta’t ito ay mga programa ng national government, ang mga speech at iba pang pang-epal bago ang distribution, hindi na pwede ‘yan. Hindi pwedeng gamitin ang government services sa pamumulitika o pagpo-promote ng sarili,” said Marcos Jr.
He noted that guidelines from the Department of Interior and Local Government already prohibit the practice and emphasized that the national budget clearly defines how public funds must be used.
“Bawal na sa distribusyon ng tulong na galing sa national government,” he added.
The President also underscored the administration’s push to modernize the distribution of government assistance through digital systems, including the use of e-wallets.
He cited Makati City as an example of a local government unit with an efficient system that other LGUs could study and adopt.
“Aralin ang sistema at unti-unting i-implementa. Basta’t sa national government nanggaling ‘yan, mabilis na, hindi mo na kailangan makinig sa mahabang speech ng pulitiko,” he said.
Marcos also discussed proposals to simplify the correction of birth certificates, particularly for people living in remote provinces.
He said digital platforms such as eGov.PH could help speed up the process, noting that the Philippine Statistics Authority now offers e‑certificate services where citizens can request digital copies of civil registry documents.
“Kung magre-request ng physical copy, dapat naman kahit saang branch ng PSA puwede na itong kunin. Ang mahalagang bahagi din dito, dapat i-recognize o dapat tanggapin ang mga digital document ng lahat ng opisina sa ating bansa,” said Marcos Jr.
“Dapat itong kilalanin ng bawat government office upang maging kapani-pakinabang ito. Marami na tayong service sa eGov na kailangan lang i-integrate sa mga opisina,” he added.
Marcos stressed that government agencies must work together to integrate digital services as part of the administration’s broader push to modernize public service delivery./PN
