MANILA -- Highlighting the importance of cooperation between the national and local government units (LGUs), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. invited Wednesday the local government of the City of Manila and other LGUs to collaborate with his administration to address present challenges confronting the nation.

Speaking during the courtesy call of Manila local officials in Malacañang, President Marcos said it was very important to him to work closely with the LGUs to tackle many problems such as the rising cost of living and other challenges.

“And that’s why it is extremely important that the local government and the national government work very, very closely so that we maximize all our efforts to alleviate the problems that our people face – the rising cost of food, fuel,” the President said in his speech.

“Things are starting to even out but we still have many problems to face. Masyado pang maraming naghihirap na Pilipino na nangangailangan ng tulong. Kaya’t kailangan ay maganda ang pag-ugnayan ng LGU at ng national government,” the chief executive pointed out.

There will be less wastage in resources if there is better coordination between the national and local governments, Marcos said, adding that duplications could also be avoided.

And because of the scarcity of resources, the President called for more prudent use of government money and assets.

“So we have to be very careful [on] how we deploy what resources that we have. And again to maximize those resources we have to be in very close coordination, both the national government and local government such as the City of Manila,” the President said.

Underscoring the importance of the LGUs in the government’s development efforts, Marcos said the national government can hardly reach the grassroots without the assistance of local governments.

“Kaya’t ang nararamdaman ng taong bayan ay ‘yung ginagawa hanggang barangay level. Kung wala ‘yang mga ‘yan, walang nararamdaman ‘yung tao kahit na napakaganda ‘yung mga plano, napakaganda ng mga programa, hindi aabot. Kaya’t kailangan na kailangan namin ng tulong ninyo. We really need the help of the local governments to guide us,” the President said.

Local governments have something in common, Marcos said, noting they face problems such as water management, traffic congestion, and many others.

Some LGUs may have specific concerns not being experienced by other LGUs, the President said, stressing the important thing is that the national government identifies those problems and provides solutions. (PND)