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People navigate the flooded Estrada and Leon Guinto streets in Manila, on August 22, 2025.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file 

 

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LCP backs Marcos' directive for nat'l agencies, DPWH to secure approval from LGUs before starting projects

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has voiced its support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s directive to national government agencies, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to secure approval from local government units (LGUs) before starting new projects.San juan Cuty Mayor Francis Zamora, LCP national president, said that city mayors he has talked to have confirmed that they sometimes are not told about projects in their areas.“Nagkakagulatan na lang at ang masama roon, &#x27;pag nagkakaproblema na, pag nagkakalokoloko na ay nadadamay bigla ang ating mga LGUs,” San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, who also serves as the LCP&#x27;s national president explained.(We don&#x27;t know about it beforehand, and what is worse is when there are problems, when a project fails, the LGU is dragged into it)He said Marcos Jr.&#x27;s directive is a big help in preventing that from happening.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/15/map-flood-control-projects-in-metro-manila-2203">MAP: Flood control projects in Metro Manila</a></div>This comes as the administration scrutinizes reports of &quot;ghost&quot; and substandard flood control projects. Mayor Zamora shared that the league recently released two statements, with the first expressing full support for the President’s order for an investigation into what he described as &quot;ghost or substandard&quot; projects.The second statement backs the directive requiring agencies like the DPWH to first get LGU approval.Zamora believes that involving LGUs in the planning process will lead to better project outcomes.He stressed that LGUs have the crucial local knowledge needed to identify project needs, such as the best locations for pumping stations or areas that need drainage improvements. &quot;Kung hindi po sila makikipag-ugnayan po samin, manghuhula na lang po sila at maaaring yung pondong ilalaan nga po ay hindi magamit ng wasto sapagkat hindi naman po matutugunan yung pangangailangan namin,&quot; he stated. (If they do not coordinate with us, they will rely on guesswork and that could mean funding is not spent well because the project will not address an LGU&#x27;s needs)According to Zamora, this new process will not only ensure that projects address actual community needs but also increase transparency and accountability.With LGUs involved in the approval process, mayors can monitor projects from the beginning and hold national agencies accountable.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/15/what-marcos-s-data-on-flood-control-projects-tells-us-2115">What Marcos’s data on flood control projects tells us</a></div>&quot;It’s actually very, very simple...pagpupulong lang po yan at pagpaplano (it just needs assemblies for collective planning),&quot; he said, emphasizing that the process would involve meetings and joint planning.Zamora proudly reported that all 13 of San Juan&#x27;s flood control projects since 2022 are &quot;real projects&quot; with no &quot;ghosts.&quot;He added that the city&#x27;s pumping stations are 100 percent operational and were tested during recent typhoons and monsoon rains.The DPWH-NCR reportedly inspected these projects and confirmed their effectiveness, he said.

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has voiced its support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to national government agencies, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to secure approval from local government units (LGUs) before starting new projects.

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has voiced its support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to national government agencies, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to secure approval from local government units (LGUs) before starting new projects.

Cities' league backs Marcos directive for DPWH to get nod from LGUs on projects

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Cities' league backs Marcos directive for DPWH to get nod from LGUs on projects

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 30, 2025 01:39 PM PHT

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League of Cities of the Philippines

LCP

Flood control projects

DPWH

Francis Zamora

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