Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. urged local government units (LGUs) to initiate programs and projects based on the concept of public-private partnership (PPP).

Abalos said LGUs can engage in a build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement that can be incorporated in their ‘use in resource generation’ scheme.

Abalos made the statement after President Marcos led the convention of League of Cities of the Philippines on Tuesday, Aug. 2, wherein he urged city mayors to take the lead in transforming the country ‘from the bottom up’ and be contributors to the post-pandemic recovery.

“It’s in the cities, it’s in the governors, it’s in the mayors. Let’s keep that truism in our minds and make it, show people that that’s exactly what’s going to happen, the LGUs can lead the way when it comes to changing the country from the bottom up,” said Marcos in a clip shown by Radio Television Malacañang.

LPC National President and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is currently in self-quarantine after being tested positive for Covid-19 and joined the meeting via video conference.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, the LPC Executive Vice President, relayed the LPC’s concerns.

Earlier, Marcos Jr. urged the local officials to support the government’s Covid-19 booster campaign as the face-to-face classes resume and to boost the country’s economy.

The President also called on the LGUs to intensify their large-scale immunization drives for booster shots targeting the school children to ensure their safety when they return to in-person classes. (Chito A. Chavez)

Published August 3, 2022, 9:03 AM
by Chito Chavez